GLOBAL TREE
ASSESMENT: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS:
More than one in three tree species threatened with extinction, finds IUCN’s
first Global Tree Assessment
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Over one-third of assessed tree species face
extinction, surpassing the threat to all other vertebrates combined. Major
causes include deforestation, land-use change, and climate impacts, especially
on islands and in tropical areas. This loss endangers resources like timber and
medicine, along with many forest-dependent species, impacting global
ecosystems.
GLOBAL TREE ASSESMENT
- Extent of Threat: Over one-third (16,425) of
the 47,282 assessed tree species face extinction—exceeding threatened
birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined.
- Global Scope: Trees are endangered in
192 countries, with islands particularly at risk due to urban development,
agriculture, and invasive species.
Causes of
Decline:
- Deforestation and Land Use: South America, with high
tree diversity, has 3,356 species at risk, primarily due to deforestation
for agriculture and livestock.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels and
extreme weather increasingly threaten tropical trees.
Dependence
on Trees:
- Resource Usage: Over 5,000 tree species on
the IUCN Red List are used for timber, and 2,000 are essential for food,
fuel, and medicine.
Importance
of Trees:
- Ecosystem Role: Trees support carbon and
water cycles, soil formation, and climate regulation, benefiting other
plants, fungi, and animals.
- Forest-Dependent Species: Numerous threatened bird
and wildlife species rely on forests, amplifying risks tied to tree loss.
Source:
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/more-than-one-in-three-tree-species-threatened-with-extinction-finds-iucns-first-global-tree-assessment