One in every three trees, which is 30% of the total known trees in the wild are at risk of extinction, says a new study. According to experts, at least 17,500 tree or plant species are at risk, which is twice the number of threatened mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles combined, BBC reported.

This includes some with great medicinal and health properties as well as well-known oaks and magnolias to tropical timber trees.

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“There are around 60,000 tree species on the planet, and for the first time we now know which of these species need immediate conservation efforts, what is the exact threat that they are facing and where are these located,” said Dr Malin Rivers of the charity Botanic Gardens Conservation International in Kew, London.

The report ‘State of the World’s Trees’, found that at least 30% of these 60,000 known tree species face extinction, while some 142 species have already disappeared from the wild and 442 are on the very edge of extinction. 

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The report also studied what is the exact risk or threat that these species are facing. The biggest threats are forest clearance for crops (impacting 29% of species), logging (27%), clearance for livestock grazing or farming (14%), clearance for development (13%) and fire (13%), according to the assessment.

Apart from that, climate change, extreme adverse weather and sea-level rise are also growing threats to these trees. The researchers, however, say that with the right conservation action and activities to balance the climate-change impacts, the situation can be a lot better and there is scope for improvement.

How can we conserve these trees?

The experts have suggested a number of efforts that can be taken to improve the situation and conserve the species on the verge of extinction. Here are the steps suggested by the experts.

1- Preservation of the existing forests and expanding protected areas (currently at least 64% of all tree species can be found in at least one protected area).

2- Should keep threatened species in botanic gardens or seed banks.

3- Proper education to ensure reforestation and tree planting schemes. Also, scientific learning to plant the right tree in the right place, including rare and threatened species.

4- Better policies and funds for forest conservation.