The number of threatened tree species double the number of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles combined

A new landmark report, published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) yesterday, has unearthed that almost a third of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction, while hundreds are on the brink of being wiped out.

The State of the World’s Trees reports some 17,500 tree species, of which 30 per cent are a risk of extinction, while 440 have fewer than 50 individuals left in the wild.

“Overall the number of threatened tree species is double the number of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles combined,” the report highlighted.

According to the report, “among the most at-risk trees are species including magnolias and dipterocarps, which are commonly found in Southeast Asian rainforests. Oak trees, maple trees and ebonies also face threats.”

Case made out for the preservation of trees

In making a case for the preservation of trees, the report said trees help support the natural ecosystem and are considered vital for combating global warming and climate change. The extinction of a single tree species could prompt the loss of many others.

In a statement announcing the publication of the report, BGCI Secretary General, Paul Smith declared, “This report is a wake-up call to everyone around the world that trees need help. Every tree species matters – to the millions of other species that depend on trees, and to people all over the world.”

The report found that thousands of varieties of trees in the world’s top six countries for tree-species diversity are at risk of extinction. The greatest single number is in Brazil, where 1,788 species are at risk.

The other five countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Colombia and Venezuela.

The top three threats facing tree species are crop production, timber logging and livestock farming, the report said, while climate change and extreme weather are emerging threats.

According to the report, at least 180 tree species are directly threatened by rising seas and severe weather, especially island species such as magnolias in the Caribbean. Though mega-diverse countries see the greatest numbers of varieties at risk of extinction, the land mark report concluded that island tree species are more proportionally at risk.

This, the authors wrote, “is particularly concerning because many islands have species of trees that can be found nowhere else”.