Nearly a third of tree species face extinction due to human activity, report warns

NEARLY a third of the world’s tree species face extinction, a report has warned — largely due to human activities.

Around 17,500 varieties are at risk, including magnolias, oaks and rowan.

The Botanic Gardens Conservation International said logging and clearing land for agriculture and livestock are among the top threats.

Rising sea levels and severe weather threaten 180 species — while increasing fire risks jeopardise trees in Madagascar and the US

More than 440 species have fewer than 50 left in the wild, including the Menai Whitebeam which has just 30 in North Wales.

The BGCI compiled work from the Global Tree Assessment, which examined the extinction risk for the world’s 58,497 species.

General secretary Paul Smith said: “Trees need help. Every tree species matters — to the millions of other species that depend on trees and to people all over the world.”

The BGCI wants governments to extend protected areas and plant more trees.