More than half of Europe's native trees are in danger of extinction
- 5 years ago
EUROPE — A new report published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature has found that approximately 58 percent of Europe's native trees are at risk of going extinct.
The report said trees such as crimean rowan and the mountain ash has been assessed as threatened, while the horse chestnut tree species is deemed to be vulnerable due to the leaf-miner moth, an invasive species from the Balkans, which is causing a decline.
Other species facing extinction in the European continent includes terrestrial molluscs, bryophytes and shrubs. These are threatened by the loss of agriculture, a reduction of wildlife area, climate change and invasive species.
A news release by the International Union for Conservation of Nature explains that a decline in terrestrial molluscs species would be dire as they are vital for soil regeneration, nutrient recycling and producing oxygen.
The report says 2,469 species of terrestrial molluscs, which are endemic to the European continent, risk extinction.
A decline in Europe's ecosystem is due to a number of factors including forest fires, logging and urban development.
Luc Bas, director of the organization's European regional office, said in a statement that the report shows the alarming plight of the "overlooked, undervalued species that form the backbone of Europe's ecosystems and contribute to a healthy planet."
He went on to say that humans need to lessen their impact on the ecosystem and prioritize these species.
The report said trees such as crimean rowan and the mountain ash has been assessed as threatened, while the horse chestnut tree species is deemed to be vulnerable due to the leaf-miner moth, an invasive species from the Balkans, which is causing a decline.
Other species facing extinction in the European continent includes terrestrial molluscs, bryophytes and shrubs. These are threatened by the loss of agriculture, a reduction of wildlife area, climate change and invasive species.
A news release by the International Union for Conservation of Nature explains that a decline in terrestrial molluscs species would be dire as they are vital for soil regeneration, nutrient recycling and producing oxygen.
The report says 2,469 species of terrestrial molluscs, which are endemic to the European continent, risk extinction.
A decline in Europe's ecosystem is due to a number of factors including forest fires, logging and urban development.
Luc Bas, director of the organization's European regional office, said in a statement that the report shows the alarming plight of the "overlooked, undervalued species that form the backbone of Europe's ecosystems and contribute to a healthy planet."
He went on to say that humans need to lessen their impact on the ecosystem and prioritize these species.