Conservation priorities for endangered trees facing multiple threats around the world

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Biodiversity Studies

Background:

• Trees are essential for ecosystem functioning and species survival.
• The global distribution, extinction vulnerability, and conservation needs of endangered trees remain poorly understood.
• Urgent conservation strategies are required to address threats to global tree diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the global distribution of endangered tree species.
• To identify conservation priorities based on multiple criteria including climate change and human impact.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of current protected areas for endangered trees.

Main Methods:

• Mapped the global distribution of 1686 endangered tree species from the IUCN Red List.
• Assessed conservation priorities using species richness, life-history traits, evolutionary distinctiveness, climate change projections, and human activity intensity.
• Evaluated protection effectiveness by analyzing the overlap of species ranges with protected areas.

Main Results:

• Endangered tree species distribution is uneven globally, with hotspots concentrated in the tropics.
• Most endangered trees are inadequately protected, with only 153 species fully covered by protected areas.
• Identified 253 high-priority conservation areas, many of which are highly threatened and insufficiently protected, with a significant portion lacking conservation plans.

Conclusions:

• Conservation efforts for endangered trees are insufficient, necessitating targeted interventions.
• The identified priority areas and unprotected species provide a roadmap for future conservation strategies.
• Effective conservation planning is vital for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and forest ecosystem resilience.