Forests dwindling faster than ever, report warns

From regulating carbon and water cycles to providing food and shelter for countless species, trees are vital to life on Earth. And they are increasingly endangered. 

More than one in three of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction, according to the first Global Tree Assessment, published today by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), of which Conservation International is a partner. 

Trees now represent more than a quarter of the 166,000 species on the IUCN Red List — the world’s most comprehensive inventory of at-risk species. In fact, the number of threatened trees is double the number of all threatened birds, mammals,
reptiles and amphibians combined. 

The findings highlight the urgent need for more effective conservation. Scientists warned the loss of trees could have cascading effects across entire ecosystems — threatening plants, fungi and animals that rely on forests. 

“Trees directly underpin the survival of a staggering array of species — including us,” said Conservation International scientist Dave Hole, an IUCN-US board member. “This latest IUCN update is flashing a warning light that those green
giants need more of our attention and support the world over.” 

“Thriving, naturally diverse forests are essential in mitigating both climate change and biodiversity loss,” he added. “Not only do they store more carbon, they are also more resilient to natural and human-driven threats.” 

© Robin Moore/iLCP

A cloud forest in Colombia.

Tree species are at risk of extinction in 192 countries around the world. The highest proportion of threatened trees is found on islands, where they are especially vulnerable to deforestation from urban development, agriculture and the spread of invasive
species. Climate change accelerates these threats by raising sea levels and intensifying storms that further damage forests. 

In South America, home to the greatest diversity of trees, 3,356 species are at risk — with large swaths of tropical forests destroyed to make room for palm oil, cattle, soy and other commodities. 

© Kate Evans/CIFOR

A
bird’s eye view of a forest and an agricultural field in Brazil.

Through research and fieldwork, conservationists are working to turn the tide. 

“We know what we have to do,” Hole said. “We need to provide real and effective protection for tree species across the globe – particularly those that are imminently threatened. And we must do that in ways that support local people
and communities, and doesn’t cut them off from what is often a critical resource.” 

Hole pointed to an enormous untapped potential for restoring native trees within degraded agricultural lands, without hurting food security. 

A recent study from Conservation International found that by planting a relatively small number of trees over large areas, the
world’s agricultural lands could trap as much carbon as the global emissions of all cars combined. It’s a way for forests and farms to co-exist,
fighting climate change without cutting into food production. 

“Not only could we store more carbon, we could also enhance food security, support biodiversity and increase agricultural systems’ resilience to the myriad pressures that climate change is increasingly placing them under,” Hole added.
“These are the types of innovative approaches that can make a big positive difference – and it is vital we start implementing them at scale.” 

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Vanessa Bauza is the senior communications director at Conservation International. Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for email updates. Also, please consider supporting our critical work.