The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has been updated. For the first time, the results of the global assessment of trees were announced.
Notably, for the first time most of the world’s trees have been included in the IUCN Red List, and at least 16,425 of the estimated 47,282 species are known to be threatened with extinction. Trees now make up a quarter of the species on the Red List, and the number of threatened trees is twice the number of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined. In general, tree species are in danger of extinction in 192 countries of the world.
“The assessment spanned the globe and involved more than 1,000 tree experts. This comprehensive assessment will allow us to make better conservation decisions and take immediate action to protect trees,” said Dr. Malin Rivers, an expert at Botanic Gardens Conservation International.