Third of world's tree species are endangered
By Alimat Aliyeva
A group of environmental scientists assessed the current state of more than 47 thousand varieties of trees existing in the world. They concluded that more than 30% of this number is already endangered, Azernews reports.
According to the report, 16 thousand tree species are threatened with extinction.
Trees are being cut down to harvest forests and clear land for agriculture and the expansion of the human population. Climate change poses an additional threat due to increasing drought and forest fires.
Vulnerable tree species are found in 192 countries, but the largest proportion is found on islands due to rapid urban development and agricultural expansion, as well as the penetration of alien species, pests and diseases from other places.
In South America, 3,356 of the 13,668 assessed tree species are endangered.
The authors of the report called for the protection and restoration of forests by planting trees, as well as for the conservation of endangered species through the creation of seed banks and collections of botanical gardens.
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