MORE than a third of tree species are facing extinction in the wild. 

The number of threatened trees now outweighs all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians put together, according to the latest update to the official extinction red list.

The news was released in Cali, Colombia, where world leaders are meeting at the UN biodiversity summit, COP 16, external, to assess progress on a landmark rescue plan for nature.

More than 1,000 scientists took part in the assessment of the conservation status of trees, compiled by the plant conservation charity, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Malin Rivers, global tree assessment lead at BGCI, said: “This comprehensive assessment presents the first global picture of the conservation status of trees, which enables us to make better informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is urgently needed.

"The work is a global effort, with over 1,000 tree experts involved. We need to continue to work together to scale up local, national, and international tree conservation action to support people and the planet.” 

Trees are at risk in 192 countries, with clearing land for farming and logging the biggest threat and, in temperate regions, pests and diseases.

Well-known trees such as magnolias are among the most threatened, with oaks, maple and ebonies also at risk.

Monkey puzzle (araucaria) is said to be 'critically endangered' Monkey puzzle (araucaria) is said to be 'critically endangered' (Image: H.Damke)

The highest proportion of threatened trees is found on islands. Island trees are at particularly high risk due to deforestation for urban development and agriculture at all scales, as well as invasive species, pests and diseases. Climate change is increasingly threatening trees, especially in the tropics, through sea-level rise and stronger, more frequent storms.