Tree Extinctions May Inevitably Lead to Bigger Catastrophes, Experts Warned

Scientists warn that we must stop the extinction of trees to avoid a global ecological catastrophe. New research warns humanity and demands swift action to preserve the world's 60,000 tree species.

A deforested area in the Amazon rain forest

(Photo : Getty Images)

Warning from Scientists

Scientists have urgently "warned humanity" about the effects of tree extinction on the planet.

If the widespread loss of trees persists, a new study forecasts dire repercussions for people, wildlife, and the planet's ecosystems. Malin Rivers, the paper's lead author and director of conservation prioritization at Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), said, "Last year, we published the State of the World's Trees report, where we showed at least 17,500 tree species, or about a third of the world's 60,000 tree species, are at risk of extinction". "At this point, we want to emphasize why it's important that so many tree species are disappearing.

Without immediate action, it will affect humanity, our economies, and our way of life. It will have a disastrous effect on the environment.

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Call for Action

With calls for action signed by more than 30 organizations, including botanic gardens, arboretums, and universities, the joint warning from BGCI and the Global Tree Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's species survival commission (IUCN SSC) is supported by 45 scientists from more than 20 countries, including the UK, the US, India, and Haiti.

The paper estimates that the global economy benefits from forests to the tune of $1.3 trillion (£1.1 trillion). Although timber is the most valuable commodity, non-timber goods, including fruit, nuts, and medicines, generate $88 billion in international trade annually. 53% of the fruit that is consumed worldwide comes from trees.

A forest is within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of more than 1.6 billion people who depend on it for employment and income. Forests can contribute up to 25% of household income in poor nations.

According to Rivers, "some people live in the forest and use it for sustenance, food, shelter, and medicine." "Many more individuals sell items they make or harvest from the forest to make a living. Losses of trees will have an immediate effect on each of those persons. Many trees also have unique spiritual or cultural significance. The cultural heritage associated with certain tree species is also lost when they go extinct, like with the dragon's blood trees in Yemen or the baobabs in Madagascar.

Biodiversity Loss

(Photo : Vlad Hilitanu/Unsplash)

Large-scale losses in biodiversity would result from the extinction of tree species. Forests are home to 10 million kinds of invertebrates and up to 75% of bird species, 68% of mammal species, and 50% of all animal and plant species on earth. Since 1970, forest-dependent species have already decreased by roughly 53%. "Habitat loss and habitat loss is frequently tree loss, is at the root of that when we look at extinction concerns for animals or birds," said Rivers. "There is no way we can take care of all the other creatures there if we don't take care of the trees."

An ecosystem's capacity to function can be drastically changed by the demise of a single species of tree. For instance, forests are more vulnerable to fire, pests, and disease when eucalyptus and dipterocarp trees are removed from the ecosystem.