GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF TREES ON IUCN RED LIST

TAG: GS-3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

THE CONTEXT:

Global Tree Assessment was announced in Cali, Colombia, on 28 October 2024 by the IUCN. 38% of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction, based on the first Global Tree Assessment. It is included in the latest IUCN Red List of Threatened Species update.

EXPLANATION:

Global Assessment of Trees on IUCN Red List:

    • Over one-third of tree species worldwide are at risk of extinction, according to a new IUCN Red List assessment.
    • This is the first time a majority of the world’s trees have been included on the Red List, with 16,425 out of 47,282 species assessed as threatened.
  • Significance of Trees in Ecosystems:
    • Trees are essential for supporting life, contributing to carbon, water, and nutrient cycles, soil formation, and climate regulation.
    • Over 5,000 tree species are used for timber, and more than 2,000 for medicines, food, and fuel, highlighting the reliance of millions of people on trees.
  • Highest Risk on Islands:
    • Island tree species face the greatest threat due to deforestation, invasive species, pests, and climate change effects like sea-level rise and stronger storms.
  • Regional Data and Conservation Actions:
    • South America, known for its tree diversity, has 3,356 out of 13,668 species at risk, mostly due to forest clearance.
    • In Colombia, Red List data has led to the designation of five new Key Biodiversity Areas for endangered Magnolia species.
  • Call for Action and Conservation Methods:
    • The IUCN and partners call for local, national, and international efforts to protect trees.
    • Critical conservation strategies include habitat protection, restoration, seed banks, and botanic garden collections.
  • Western European Hedgehog Status:
    • The Western European Hedgehog has moved from “Least Concern” to “Near Threatened” due to habitat loss, urban development, and agricultural intensification.
    • Conservation programs like “Hedgehog Street” in the UK aim to support hedgehog populations.
  • Global Collaboration for Tree Conservation:
    • Over 1,000 experts and 100 institutions collaborated on the Global Tree Assessment, funded by Fondation Franklinia and other conservation organizations.
  • 60th Anniversary of the IUCN Red List:
    • The IUCN Red List is marking its 60th anniversary, with a global social media campaign launching to raise awareness and funds for species assessment and reassessment.
  • Industry Responsibility and Deforestation:
    • There’s a call for consumer goods manufacturers, financial institutions, and agriculture companies to strengthen commitments to zero deforestation and ecosystem conservation.

COP16 and Conservation Opportunities: COP16 in Colombia presents an opportunity for public and private sectors to support biodiversity through investments that benefit people, climate, and species.

 

Source:

https://iucn.org/press-release/202410/more-one-three-tree-species-worldwide-faces-extinction-iucn-red-list

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