More than half of the Amazon tree species are at risk of extinction
24/11/2015 By Sandra BESSON
The vast Amazon region of Latin America is home to one of the world's most diverse collections of tree species, but more than half could be at risk of extinction due to ongoing deforestation, according to what scientists have said.
Researchers said Friday that if current trends continue, between 36 and 57% of the estimated 15 tree species in the Amazon will become endangered according to criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. .
The study covered approximately 5,5 million km² extending to Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
Researchers analyzed studies of the Amazon rainforest and data on planned and current deforestation areas.
"Many species that we think may be endangered are used by the people of the Amazon on a daily basis and many more are essential to the Amazon economy," said environmentalist Nigel Pitman of the Field Museum in Chicago.
These species range from economically important wild food species such as Brazil nuts, acai fruit, and palm hearts, to hundreds of species including the Amazonians, including important timber species. depend for their consumption of fruits, seeds, drugs, latex, and essential oils.
Trees are also important in their ecosystems for erosion control and climate moderation, according to Nigel Pitman.
"Scientists have sounded the alarm about deforestation in the Amazon for several decades and forecasts indicate that the loss of the forest will continue in the future," said ecologist Hans ter Steege of the Center for Naturalis biodiversity in the Netherlands.
"The good news is that over the past decade, the rate of forest loss in the Amazon has dropped dramatically."
Amazon forests have shrunk since the 1950s as people burn and cut entire areas for agriculture, livestock and real estate development. So far, there has been no reliable estimate of the amount of endangered tree species.
"Yes, the threats are daunting, but it is important to remember that over 85% of the forests in the Amazon are still standing," said Nigel Pitman.
Researchers say that Amazon's native parks, reserves and territories, if properly managed, should be able to protect most endangered species. [color = # FF0000] Previous research showed that the Amazon forests had already shrunk by 12% and would decline by another 28% by 2050. / color]
The research was published in the journal Science Advances.
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