A 2021 global assessment, titled “State of the World’s Trees,” revealed alarming numbers. Around 17,500 unique tree species are currently threatenedor a third of all known species. This number far exceeds that of tetrapods (mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles) in danger.
Among these threatened species, some are extremely rare. This is the case of Hyophorbe amaricaulisa palm from Mauritius of which only one known specimen remains. This dramatic situation illustrates the urgency of tree conservation.
The causes of this decline are multiple:
- Massive deforestation for agriculture and urban development
- Rapid climate changes
- Diseases and parasites
- Overexploitation of forest resources
Economic and social impact of tree loss
The loss of trees has a significant impact on the global economy and the livelihoods of millions of people. Trees contribute $1.3 trillion to the global economy annually. They supply fruits, nuts and medicines, generating a non-timber trade of around $88 billion.
In developing countries, 880 million people rely on firewood for fuel. In addition, 1.6 billion people live in close proximity to forests, drawing food and income from them. The loss of trees therefore directly threatens the survival and well-being of these populations.
| Resource | Annual economic value |
|---|---|
| Total contribution of trees | $1.3 trillion |
| Trade in non-timber products | $88 billion |
Ecological consequences of the disappearance of trees
Trees are true ecosystems in themselves, sheltering a multitude of organisms. The loss of a single tree leads to the disappearance of an entire living world. Forests form the base of the food chain for many species, and their decline has already caused a 53% drop in forest animal populations since 1970.
Certain tree species, such as dracaena cinnabari (dragon blood tree), play a unique and irreplaceable ecological role. Their extinction would lead to a catastrophic domino effect on the species that depend on them, even if they are already rare.
Beyond biodiversity, trees are essential for:
- Air purification and oxygen production
- Carbon storage (more than half of problematic CO2)
- Regulation of the water cycle (storage of 75% of accessible fresh water)
- Soil stabilization
- Resistance to pests and diseases
The loss of tree diversity therefore compromises all of the ecological functions vital to our planet.
Towards collective awareness
Faced with this critical situation, scientists are calling for general mobilization. It is urgent to recognize the capital importance of trees and to fight against our “plant blindness”. In 2022, researchers have highlighted an alarming decline in the number of botany students in the UK, even as our need for knowledge about plants has never been greater.
To preserve our forests and their countless benefits, actions are necessary at all levels:
- Strengthening conservation policies
- Investment in botanical research
- General public awareness
- Adoption of sustainable forest management practices
- Fight against climate change
Preserving tree diversity is a crucial issue for the future of humanity and the planet. It's time to act before it's too late.
