The health of the 881 tree species in the entire US was evaluated via a thorough report. The results are concerning.
Researchers reveal that between 11 and 16 % of tree species are in danger of going extinct because of many factors. And that doesn’t stop there.
Read out below to find out all the details.
Trees’ Crying For Help is In Vain
More than 100 native tree species in the lower 48 states are now in danger of going extinct, as per a groundbreaking analysis. Who is the culprit?
The Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the Morton Arboretum, and NatureServe undertook the years-long research in partnership with the United States Botanic Garden and the Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The results are shocking.
Based on that, between 11 and 16 % of tree species in the US are suffering due to many hazards, including urban expansion, climate change, invasive pests, diseases, and wildfires that seem unstoppable. That looks like there’s nothing to do to save the trees because they’re getting too much hurt.
Sean T. O’Brien is the president and CEO of the nonprofit NatureServe and part of the recent study. He released a statement expressing his concern:
Trees form the basis of many of the world’s terrestrial ecosystems; […] Understanding what trees are threatened and why is critical to informing conservation for trees and ecosystems across the nation.
At least 17 threatened species are not currently conserved, which makes everything even worse! No botanical collections offer support for them and “thus have no insurance policy against extinction,” as per the study’s findings.
Moreover, the researchers also point out that most native tree species are found in off-site conservation areas, like arboretums, botanic gardens, or seed banks.
Will we be able to do something to save trees’ lives or continue ignoring the situation, waiting for a miracle? The future is uncertain, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do something.