One in three tree species at risk of extinction, report says

This finding poses a significant threat to life on Earth.

The findings, part of the Global Tree Assessment from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), coincide with the UN's COP16 summit on biodiversity in Cali, Colombia.

The report reveals that more than 16,000 tree species face extinction, based on an assessment of over 47,000 species, out of an estimated 58,000 globally.

Deforestation for logging and land development, coupled with the impacts of climate change, such as increased drought and wildfires, are primary factors contributing to this crisis.

Expert Emily Beech emphasized the importance of trees, stating that people depend on them for food, timber, fuel, and medicine. "Trees are essential to support life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems," said IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar.

A study published in 2015 estimated that there are approximately three trillion individual trees on the planet, with around 15 billion cut down each year. Since the beginning of human civilization, the global tree population has decreased by nearly half. Over 5,000 species listed in the IUCN Red List are used for construction timber, while more than 2,000 serve as food, medicine, and fuel sources.

Species at risk include the horse chestnut and ginkgo, known for their medicinal uses, big-leaf mahogany, used in furniture making, and various species of ash, magnolia, and eucalyptus.

The report highlights that the number of tree species at risk exceeds that of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined.

Trees in 192 countries are at risk, with the highest proportions found on islands, largely due to urban expansion, agriculture, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases.

To combat this crisis, the IUCN calls for the protection and restoration of forests through tree-planting initiatives and the conservation of endangered species via seed banks and botanic gardens. The assessment was compiled with contributions from over 1,000 experts.