Although forests are considered the lungs of the world, currently, many tree species that make up these forests and that provide valuable ecosystem services to society, are at risk of extinction. As we do not have to worry only about animals in danger of extinction, but also about plant species, this time, from Ecologist Verde we want to publicize 12 species of endangered trees that have been evaluated and subsequently classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If you want to know these species at risk, be sure to read and share this information to make it easier to help them globally.
Cocobolo
The cocobolo scientifically known as Dalbergia retusa, is a Central American tree that is distributed from Mexico to Panama. It is characterized by being a medium-sized species, up to 30 meters high. The wood of this plant species has unique qualities: it is dense and hard but easy to work, it also has a color that makes it particular. This has led to the cocobolo being heavily exploited and today it is considered critically endangered.
Chanul
Another Latin American tree with a vulnerable conservation status is the chanulHumiriastrum procerum), endemic to Colombia and Ecuador. The chanul can reach a height of 30 meters and in particular, it has inflorescences, that is, a set of flowers arranged on the same axis. At a global level, this plant species is classified as vulnerable to extinction, this is mainly due to the over-exploitation of its wood.
Image: Tropicaltimber
Pinsapo
The pinsapo (Abies pinsapo) is a fir endemic to the Mediterranean mountains of the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Regarding its appearance, it is a tree that can measure up to 30 meters in length, its crown is pyramidal and, being a plant without flowers, it has reddish male cones and rather yellow female cones. Unfortunately, the Spanish fir is one of the endangered trees of Spain. The reasons that lead the Spanish fir to the brink of extinction are: fire, deforestation, diseases and pests, droughts, among others.
Pehuén
Other plant species in danger of extinction is the pehuén or Patagonian pineAraucaria araucana), an endemic species from Patagonia to southern Argentina and Chile. It is an evergreen tree, that is, it does not lose its foliage. Like the species mentioned in the previous section, the pehuén does not have flowers but female and male cones. Currently, the Pehuén's conservation status is in danger of extinction mainly due to fires and deforestation, although logging of this specimen is prohibited in both countries.
Baobab de Suárez
Did you know that there are 8 species of baobab? Now you know!. Particularly the Suárez baobab (Adansonia suarezensis), which has a very limited distribution to the north of the island of Madagascar, is in danger of extinction due to modifications in their habitat such as fires or development of urbanization and problems with exotic species and diseases. Regarding its qualities, it is the smallest of the baobabs, it has a thick stem with branching in height. The leaves are green-yellow in color and are the food of the lemurs.
You can learn more about these species by reading this other article about Baobabs: what they are and their characteristics.
Giant sequoia
The giant sequoiaSequoiadendron giganteum) is a tree native to the United States, more precisely from the Sierra Nevada in the state of California. Its name really does justice to its appearance, specimens with more than 100 meters in length have been recorded. In addition, their diameter can exceed 10 meters and, as if that were not enough, they live for thousands of years. Sadly, its conservation status is in danger of extinction. This is due to disturbances in their habitat such as fires and the introduction of exotic species and also due to their slow growth period and seed germination conditions.
Learn by reading this other post about the Giant Sequoias: characteristics and where they are.
Wollemi pine
This species is considered a living fossil in New South Wales, Australia: the wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis). It is a conifer that presents characteristics of its oldest ancestors. In fact, the fossils of the genus Wollemia are two million years old, thus, the wollemi pine is the only living specimen of the genus. However, this incredible species is critically endangered due to modifications in its habitat and a disease caused by a species of Protista.
Pokemeboy
Another of the endangered plant species is the pokemeboy (Acacia anegadensis) originally from the British Virgin Islands. It is characterized by being a small tree, considered by some botanists as a shrub, with dense thorns and yellow flowers. Today is classified as endangered mainly due to the loss and fragmentation of their habitat.
Image: Home stratosphere
American cedar
American cedar (Cedrela odorata) is a large tree found in both Central America and South America. Its wood is of good quality for the manufacture of furniture and this tree is also associated with rituals of different communities and with medicinal properties. Precisely for these reasons, this species has been overexploited and is currently considered as vulnerable to extinction.
Sabina
The juniper conifer, whose scientific name is Juniperus saxicola, It is found solely and exclusively on the island of Cuba. It is a medium-sized tree found in critical danger of extinction. The truth is that the limited distribution that it has does not help its conservation status and considering that its habitat is being deteriorated by the development of urbanization for tourism and recreation, the situation of this conifer is alarming.
Image: Threatened conifers
Canary Cedar
Continuing with the Juniperus genus, the Canary Islands cedar (Juniperus cedrus) is another tree species in danger of extinction. As its common name indicates well, it is native to the Canary Islands, Spain. Although some botanists consider it a shrub, it can reach about 20 meters and it is even believed that ancient specimens reached 30 meters in length. Your current state is in danger of extinction since it has been overexploited due to the characteristics of its wood and, in addition, its habitat has been severely modified.
Chinese coffin
The Chinese coffin tree (Taiwania cryptomerioides), is the only species within the genus and inhabits the south-west of China. A curious fact is that it is the largest tree in Asia, being able to reach 80 meters in length. Incredible!. Currently, it is classified as vulnerable to extinction. The causes that increase their vulnerability are related to the felling of their specimens and the modification of their habitat.
These are just a few of the endangered tree species, but there are so many more. Help protect them with environmentally friendly actions in your day-to-day life and by knowing well the Benefits of trees, which you can read here, as well as spreading this information to your relatives.
If you want to read more articles similar to Trees in danger of extinction, we recommend that you enter our Biodiversity category.
Bibliography- Red Lists of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Website consulted: iucnredlist.org
