Updated on Monday, the IUCN Red List, a global reference inventory of the conservation status of plant species, now includes 166,061 living species analyzed, of which 46,337 are considered threatened with extinction and 10,235 critically endangered.
More than one species of trees in three, essential to life on Earth, is threatened with extinction on the planet, according to the first “Global Tree Assessment” published Monday during COP16 biodiversity in Cali, Colombia.
For the first time, the conservation status of the vast majority of the world’s trees has been documented on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This reveals that at least 16,425 of the 47,282 tree species assessed are threatened with extinction.
The total number of tree species in the world is estimated at 58,000, but scientists do not have solid information for all species. “Trees are essential to supporting life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend on them“, said IUCN Director-General Grethel Aguilar in a statement.
Humanity depends on forests for its food, firewood or construction wood, medicines, air purification and climate regulation, through the absorption of carbon pollution. Deforestation, for the benefit of intensive agriculture or overexploitation of wood, parasites and invasive species, as well as climate change caused by humans are among the main threats.
“We hope this frightening statistic of one in three trees at risk of extinction will prompt urgent action” said Eimear Nic Lughadha, research director at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England.
Among the endangered species are the horse chestnut – known in Europe for its medicinal properties -, the large-leaved mahogany – a precious mahogany from Latin America for construction and furniture – as well as numerous species of eucalyptus and magnolia. , said Emily Beech, expert from the British NGO BGCI, which represents botanical gardens in more than 100 countries and participated in the evaluation.
Trees now make up more than a quarter of the species listed on the Red List, and the number of trees listed as threatened is more than double that of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined.
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