“Trees in Trouble: The Urgent Threat to Earth’s Lungs”
Dragon’s blood trees, a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, have been seen in Soqotra, Yemen after sustaining damage from a cyclone. This event highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these iconic trees and the ecosystems they support.
According to the Global Tree Assessment, led by Botanical Gardens Conservation International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Global Tree Specialist Group, 38 percent of tree species are at risk of extinction. This assessment is a comprehensive initiative that looks at the conservation status assessments of all Earth’s tree species on the IUCN Red List.
The IUCN Director General, Dr. Grethel Aguilar, emphasized the importance of trees in supporting life on Earth and the millions of people who depend on them for their lives and livelihoods. The assessment revealed that more than one in three tree species are threatened with extinction, with over 16,000 tree species at risk globally.
The threats facing trees, particularly vulnerable species like the dragon’s blood trees, include deforestation due to agriculture and urban development, invasive species, diseases, pests, and the impacts of the climate crisis. Stronger storms and sea-level rise pose significant risks to trees, especially in tropical regions.
Efforts to address these threats include habitat protection, restoration, and ex situ conservation through seed banks and botanic garden collections. Community action has already led to positive outcomes in various regions, demonstrating the importance of collaborative conservation efforts.
In South America, which boasts the highest tree diversity globally, over 3,000 tree species are threatened with extinction due to forest clearing for agriculture and livestock ranching. The Global Tree Assessment provides a crucial tool for informing conservation plans and guiding urgent action to protect trees worldwide.
The loss of trees not only threatens thousands of animal, plant, and fungi species but also impacts essential ecosystem functions such as water, carbon, and nutrient cycles, climate regulation, and soil formation. Trees play a vital role in mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss, highlighting the need for investments in conservation efforts.
As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, the protection of tree species like the dragon’s blood trees is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and ensuring the well-being of both wildlife and human populations. Conservation efforts must be scaled up to address the urgent threats facing trees and prevent further extinctions.