Almost all of the world’s tree species are tracked by the IUCN Red List, which shows the conservation status of the species. However, an interesting discovery was made at this time. Approximately 38% of tree species are at risk of extinction.
The Global Tree Assessment, a ten-year collaborative effort involving more than 1,000 experts from around the world, found that at least 16,425 of the 47,282 tree species it assessed and listed were at risk of extinction. This is more than twice the total number of threatened bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species on the list.
Moreover, it was understood that trees thought to be more sheltered in island geographies were at greater risk. The reason for this is that invasive species, which reached the islands due to different factors, started to destroy the trees native to the islands.
Not only trees, but the whole world may disappear
Even in South America, home to the most diverse tree species on the planet, a quarter of assessed tree species are at risk of extinction, and it is stated that this number may increase.
This situation is not just a situation that worries botanists. As tree species disappear, the ecosystem living among them will also be negatively affected and animal species will lose their habitats and become extinct. This may result in disruption of balance in the entire world system and eventually a great destruction.
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