Trees in Danger of Extinction

A new report from Kew Gardens, which boasts a huge collection of the world's flora, says that at least thirty percent of the world's trees are in danger of extinction. Trees provide habitat for a host of creatures as well as replenish the Earth's atmosphere with oxygen. Experts think 17,500 species of trees, including some well known ones, are at risk. The Earth has about 60,000 species of trees and each fulfills a unique ecological niche. Some 142 species have already vanished, so conservation of the remaining species is important. As one might expect human agriculture and logging are the biggest threats to tree survival. Climate heating and rising sea levels also play a role. Some well known trees are on the edge of extinction among them are: 

• European Ash--is being killed off by a fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, and the emerald ash borer beetle, a native of Asia.   The hard, but flexible wood of this species once made English longbows, but a recent paper has said the tree will likely vanish from European woodlands, following the disappearance of the Elm.  Ash die-back known as Chalara, affects some 2m kms² of Europe.  It has the potential to kill 95% of England's ash trees. [photo: Getty Images]
  
• Giant Redwood--despite its impressive size the redwood is suffering from a restricted habitat in California and low regeneration rates.  The specimens located in protected areas may not be enough to save the species from extinction. Scientist currently list it as endangered.
• Star Magnolia--Popular with gardeners due to its large, white blossoms, this magnolia is on edge of extinction in the wild.  Only five populations are known to exist in its native Japan, and these are far apart making reproduction problematic.  Habitat loss (one was converted to a golf course) and seed collection are contributing to its demise.
• Brazil Nut--This tree's nuts are favored by animals and humans.  Once, Brazil nuts were only harvested from wild trees, but habitat loss to ranching make them more rare.  It is not know what impact human consumption has on the species' reproduction rate.  The agouti, which is responsible for spreading the tree's seeds in the forest, is exterminated as a pest and is now rare in the trees' southern range.
• Baobab--US Person's memory of encountering this tree with impressive girth in Africa is still vivid.  The oldest Baobabs on the continent are dying, but scientists do not consider it threatened with extinction. However, three of its Malagasy relatives are considered endangered (IUCN) species. This includes Grandidier’s baobab,;the much-photographed species found at Madagascar’s number one tourist attraction, the ‘avenue of the baobabs’. This tree is threatened by forest burning for subsistence farming and grazing of its seedlings.  International demand for baobab products is also having an effect. Madagascar has the most threatened tree species and has lost 90% of its original forest.
  

 Gerard T Donnelly, the president of the Morton Arboretum in Illinois, hopes policymakers will use the groundbreaking Kew study as a conservation tool: “This report makes clear that the world’s trees are in danger. It was developed through years of vigorous research and collaboration among the world’s leading tree conservation organisations and will guide further scientifically informed action to prevent tree extinctions.” Key to protecting trees threatened by extinction is to expand and create more natural areas and planting campaigns to replace endangered species.