Trees worldwide face extinction threat, surpassing endangered animal species

More than a third of the world’s tree species are now at risk of extinction, with impacts rippling across ecosystems that depend on them for habitat, food and carbon absorption.

Helen Briggs reports for BBC.

In short:

• More than 38% of tree species worldwide are threatened with extinction, outpacing the combined total of endangered birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
• Key drivers include deforestation for agriculture and logging, with additional pressures from diseases and invasive pests in temperate regions.
• The COP 16 summit in Colombia brings global leaders together to review biodiversity protection efforts, aiming to preserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030.

Key quote:

“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.”

— Emily Beech, Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

Why this matters:

Trees play an essential role in supporting biodiversity, purifying air and fighting climate change. With their decline, entire ecosystems and species face further threat, underscoring urgent needs for habitat protection and international conservation efforts.

Related EHN coverage:

• Happy people … happy forests?
• Ancient North Carolina trees that hold climate clues are under threat
• Planting a million trees in the semi-arid desert to combat climate change