By : Lloyd Mahachi

A staggering report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that over 16,000 tree species, representing more than one-third of all tree species worldwide, are at risk of extinction. This alarming finding, based on an assessment of 47,000 species, underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect the world’s tree population.

The key findings of the report are alarming. Over 16,000 tree species face extinction, out of an estimated 58,000 global species. Trees are threatened by logging, land clearing for farming and human expansion, climate change, drought, and wildfires. Additionally, 5,000+ species on the IUCN Red List are used for construction timber, while 2,000+ species are used for medicines, food, and fuels.

Some of the threatened species include the horse chestnut and ginkgo, which are used for medical applications, as well as the big leaf mahogany, used in furniture making. Ash, magnolia, and eucalyptus species are also at risk. Islands have the highest proportion of threatened tree species due to urban development, agriculture, and invasive species.

The global implications of tree extinction are severe. Trees support ecosystems and millions of people depend on them for their livelihoods. South America, home to the Amazon jungle, has the greatest tree diversity, with 3,356 out of 13,668 assessed species at risk.

To address this crisis, the IUCN advocates for forest protection, restoration, and tree planting. Conservation of dying species through seed banks and botanic garden collections is also crucial. The United Nations COP16 summit on biodiversity emphasizes the need to increase spending on nature conservation to $542 billion annually by 2030.

As IUCN Director-General Grethel Aguilar stressed, “Trees are essential to support life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend upon them for their lives and livelihoods.” As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, the urgent need to protect tree species has never been clearer.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi