The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, published October 28, presents a shocking picture of the health of trees worldwide. For the first time, the majority of the approximately 64,000 known species have been listed in this global registry: of the 47,282 species evaluated, at least 16,425 (38%) are threatened with extinction, meaning they are classified in one of the three categories ranging from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘critically endangered’. This assessment, which is the result of the collaboration of a thousand experts mobilized for several years, confirms the result of a study published in 2021 by the British association Botanic Gardens Conservation International.”
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* Comprehensive assessment: The IUCN Red List has evaluated a larger number of tree species than ever before.
* Alarming rate of extinction: Nearly 40% of assessed tree species are at risk of extinction.
* Long-term study: This assessment is the result of years of research by thousands of experts.
* Le Monde article here