Prevent The Extinction Of Trees Or Face A Global Ecological Disaster Scientists Warn Trees And Forests

A new paper predicts serious consequences for people, wildlife and the planet’s ecosystems if widespread tree loss continues. “Last year, we published the State of the World’s Trees report, where we showed that at least 17,500 tree species, about a third of the world’s 60,000 tree species, are at risk of extinction,” said Malin Rivers, lead author of the paper and head of the prioritization of conservation priorities at Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). “Now we want to highlight why it matters that so many tree species are disappearing. “Without action now, it will affect humanity, our economies and our livelihoods. Ecologically, it will have a devastating impact on the planet.” The joint warning from BGCI and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) Global Tree Species Group (IUCN SSC) is supported by 45 scientists from more than 20 countries, including the UK, US, India and Haiti, with calls to action signed by more than 30 organizations, including botanical gardens, arboretums and universities. According to the paper, the world’s forests contribute $1.3 trillion (£1.1 trillion) to the global economy. Timber is the most valuable commodity, but non-timber products such as fruit, nuts and medicines account for $88 billion in global trade. Of the fruit available for global consumption, 53% comes from trees. Globally, more than 1.6 billion people live within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of a forest and rely on them for jobs and money. In developing countries, forests provide up to 25% of household income. “Some people live in the forest and use it for survival, for food, shelter and medicine,” Rivers said. “Many more people use the forests for their income, to sell things they collect or make from the forest. All these people will be directly affected by the tree losses. Many trees also have special spiritual or cultural significance. When these types of trees are lost, this cultural heritage is also lost, like the dragon’s blood trees in Yemen or the baobabs in Madagascar.” The large-scale extinction of tree species would lead to large biodiversity losses. Half of the world’s animal and plant species rely on trees as their habitat, with forests containing around 75% of bird species, 68% of mammal species and up to 10 million invertebrate species. Forest-dependent species have already declined by about 53 percent since 1970. “When we look at extinction risks for mammals or birds, it’s because of habitat loss, and habitat loss is often loss of trees,” Rivers said. “If we don’t take care of the trees, there’s no way we’re going to take care of all the other life out there.” The disappearance of a single tree species can significantly alter an ecosystem, causing a domino effect on its ability to function. When, for example, eucalypts and diptera are destroyed, forests become more vulnerable to fires, pests and diseases. Patterns forming in the canopy of dipterocarp trees at the Malaysian Forest Research Institute near Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Anders Blomqvist/Alamy Forests provide 50% of the world’s carbon storage, so further tree extinctions would reduce our ability to combat climate collapse. “The new thing in this paper is that it’s the diversity of trees that’s so important,” Rivers said. “We show that diverse forests store more carbon than monocultures. This is true for many of the ecological functions, not just carbon sequestration, but providing habitat for animals, soil stabilization, pest and disease resistance, storm and adverse weather resistance. By losing the diversity of trees, we will also lose diversity in all organisms: birds, animals, fungi, microorganisms, insects.” Ahead of the Cop15 UN biodiversity conference in Montreal this December, the scientists behind the document are calling for more protection for the world’s trees, including strengthening the role of trees in environmental and climate policy at the state level. “We want to see action,” Rivers said. “We can all take responsibility for the beef we eat and where it comes from, and ensure that tree products are sustainably sourced. But we also want to see governments taking up their responsibilities, so there is common thinking on biodiversity, climate change and other issues.” Find more coverage of Age of Extinction here and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on Twitter for all the latest news and features

title: “Prevent The Extinction Of Trees Or Face A Global Ecological Disaster Scientists Warn Trees And Forests Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-27” author: “Joel Garcia”

title: “Prevent The Extinction Of Trees Or Face A Global Ecological Disaster Scientists Warn Trees And Forests Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-24” author: “Anthony Ballinger”

title: “Prevent The Extinction Of Trees Or Face A Global Ecological Disaster Scientists Warn Trees And Forests Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-22” author: “Stephanie Derr”