More than a third of the world’s tree species face extinction in the wild, according to scientists assessing global threats to trees.

This alarming figure now surpasses the number of threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined, based on the latest update to the official extinction red list.

The findings were announced in Cali, Colombia, during the UN biodiversity summit, COP 16, where global leaders are reviewing progress on a landmark plan to safeguard nature.

Trees are vital for life on Earth, providing clean air, absorbing carbon emissions, and serving as habitats for countless birds, insects, and mammals.

The assessment, involving over 1,000 scientists, was led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

According to Emily Beech of BGCI, 38% of tree species are now under threat, with risks identified in 192 countries.

“Trees are highly threatened all across the world but now we have the tools that we need to make sure that we prioritise conservation action on the ground,” she said.

Land clearing for farming and logging poses the greatest threats, while pests and diseases are significant dangers in temperate regions. Among the most endangered trees are magnolias, oaks, maples, and ebonies.

Conservation efforts are underway at institutions like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, where scientists are collecting seeds and cultivating specimens in arboretums.

Conservation researcher Steven Bachman called the findings “shocking” and highlighted the cascading effects on plants and animals reliant on trees.

“We are currently in a biodiversity crisis,” he said. “Many species of trees all around the world are providing habitat for many other species of birds, mammals, insects, fungi.

“If we lose the trees we are losing many other species with them.”

The red list update also revealed concerning trends for other species.

Hedgehog populations (Erinaceus europaeus) are declining across Europe, including the UK, due to habitat loss from farming and land development. Additionally, migratory birds, which depend on Britain’s shorelines and estuaries, face growing threats. Four UK shorebirds—the grey plover, dunlin, turnstone, and curlew sandpiper—are increasingly endangered.

As the world confronts these challenges, the findings underscore the urgency of protecting ecosystems and addressing the intertwined fates of trees, wildlife, and humanity.

 

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