Over a third of tree species worldwide at risk of extinction

Thirty-eight per cent of the world’s trees are at risk of extinction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned in October 2024. 

For the first time, the majority of the world’s trees have been listed on the IUCN Red List, revealing that at least 16,425 of the 47,282 species assessed are at risk of extinction. Trees now account for over one quarter of species on the IUCN Red List, and the number of threatened trees is more than double the number of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined. Tree species are at risk of extinction in 192 countries around the world.

The highest proportion of threatened trees is found on islands. Island trees are at particularly high risk due to deforestation for urban development and agriculture at all scales, as well as invasive species, pests and diseases. Climate change is increasingly threatening trees, especially in the tropics, through sea-level rise and stronger, more frequent storms. Addressing the threats that trees face, habitat protection and restoration, as well as ex situ conservation through seed banks and botanic garden collections, are critical to prevent extinctions on islands and world-wide. Community action has already led to positive outcomes from the Juan Fernández islands to Cuba, from Madagascar to Fiji.

In South America – home to the greatest diversity of trees in the world – 3,356 out of 13,668 as-sessed species are at risk of extinction. Innovative approaches are needed to protect the high number of tree species in the region, where forest clearance for crop farming and livestock ranch-ing are the largest threats. In Colombia, Red List assessments have informed national conservation action planning. Seven species of Endangered and Critically Endangered Magnolia have been used for the designation of five new Key Biodiversity Areas, which will be used by local and na-tional government to inform spatial planning.

The IUCN Red List also shows that the loss of trees is a major threat to thousands of other plants, fungi and animals. As a defining component of many ecosystems, trees are fundamental to life on Earth through their role in carbon, water and nutrient cycles, soil formation and climate regula-tion. People also depend on trees, with over 5,000 of the tree species on the IUCN Red List used for timber in construction, and more than 2,000 species for medicines, food and fuels respectively.

(IUCN/ile)

Read more on the IUCN website