More than 17,000 tree species are at risk from rapid global change

More than 17,000 tree species are at risk from rapid global change

02 January 2024 | Coline C. F. Boonman, Josep M. Serra-Diaz, Selwyn Hoeks, Wen-Yong Gue, Brian J. Enquist, Brian Maitner, Yadavinder Malhi, Cory Merow, Robert Buitenwerf, Jens-Christian Svenning
The study assesses the exposure of 32,090 tree species to six anthropogenic threats over the past two decades, identifying over half (54.2%) of these species as exposed to increasing threats. However, only 8.7% of these species are listed as threatened by the IUCN Red List, highlighting a substantial underestimation of extinction risks. The research maps hotspots of tree species exposed to rapidly changing threats, suggesting that current IUCN Red List assessments may not adequately capture the true extent of threats. The findings emphasize the need for a data-driven approach to prioritize species for re-evaluation, facilitating more efficient conservation efforts. The study also reveals that climate change, deforestation, and urban expansion are among the most significant threats, with some species experiencing extreme rates of change. The results highlight the urgency of addressing these threats to prevent species extinctions and ensure the long-term health of global ecosystems.The study assesses the exposure of 32,090 tree species to six anthropogenic threats over the past two decades, identifying over half (54.2%) of these species as exposed to increasing threats. However, only 8.7% of these species are listed as threatened by the IUCN Red List, highlighting a substantial underestimation of extinction risks. The research maps hotspots of tree species exposed to rapidly changing threats, suggesting that current IUCN Red List assessments may not adequately capture the true extent of threats. The findings emphasize the need for a data-driven approach to prioritize species for re-evaluation, facilitating more efficient conservation efforts. The study also reveals that climate change, deforestation, and urban expansion are among the most significant threats, with some species experiencing extreme rates of change. The results highlight the urgency of addressing these threats to prevent species extinctions and ensure the long-term health of global ecosystems.
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