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Context: 

A new Global Tree Assessment “Status of the World’s Trees Report” has revealed that over one-third of the tree species in the world are threatened with extinction.

World’s Trees Report/The Global Tree Assessment (GTA)

GTA is a collaborative global initiative led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Species Survival Commission's Global Tree Specialist Group.

It evaluates the conservation status of all global tree species to guide biodiversity conservation efforts across the world.

GTA is the largest global assessment project and encompasses the conservation status assessments for nearly 50,000 tree species in the world, which is more than a quarter of all assessments on the updated IUCN Red List.

Findings from the Global Tree Assessment

Extinction Threat: 

Nearly 38% or 16,425 trees)of the world's tree species are now at the risk of extinction.

This number of threatened tree species far exceeds the combined count of threatened birds, 

mammals, reptiles, and amphibians across the world.

Islands at Higher Risk: 

Islands have the highest proportion of endangered trees and this is due to rapid urban and agricultural development, invasive species, pests, and diseases.

South America: 

South America, the region with the richest tree diversity, has 3,356 out of 13,668 tree species facing the threat, which is largely attributed to deforestation for agricultural expansion.

Tropical regions such as South America face additional risks from rising sea levels, severe storms, and other climate-related challenges such as sea level rise and ocean acidification, which impact tree survival.

Human Utility of Forests: 

Over 5,000 tree species of the assessed trees are used for timber, and more than 2,000 of them are essential for food, medicine, and fuel.

Trees play a vital role in ecosystems by supporting biodiversity, carbon sequestration, water and nutrient cycles, soil formation, etc., among others. For these reasons, there is a need to conserve trees to utilise their values.

Trees Trees are perennial plants which have an elongated trunk, branches, and leaves and they are often defined as woody plants with secondary growth. Types of Trees:  Trees include a variety of species, including Angiosperms which are hardwoods and  Gymnosperms which are softwoods,  Apart from them there are non-traditional forms like palms, tree ferns, bananas, and bamboo.

Government initiatives to protect forests

Indian Forest Policy, 1952 aImed to cover one-third of total land area by forests.

Forest Conservation Act of 1980 targeted to check deforestation, conserve biodiversity, save wildlife, etc.

The forest policy of 1988 made a shift from a commercial focus to the ecological role of the forests and Joint Forest management.

National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 is mandated to ensure environmental protection and conservation of forests.

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 seeks to provide an institutional mechanism, to ensure utilisation of trees efficiently and transparently.

Way Ahead 

The policy recommendations by the report include habitat protection, restoration, ex-situ conservation through seed banks and botanical gardens, and community-driven actions( Such as Chipko and Appiko movements) to conserve the trees globally.

Afforestation to create resources without depleting existing natural forests provides wildlife habitat, recreational areas, and economic benefits. Such initiatives can be promoted by initiatives like Van Mahotsava, which was launched in 1950.

Tree reforestation should be focused on diversification of the species and prioritisation of the threatened trees, rather than solely focusing on tree planting as a climate solution.

Selective Logging removes specific trees based on size and allows for regeneration. It is a sustainable method that balances forest conservation and resource needs.

Important articles for reference

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

DOWN TO EARTH

BGCI

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.With over one-third of the tree species in the world threatened with extinction, there is an urgent need to drive up the conservation efforts for the conservation of the trees. Critically analyse.( 250 words)