Nearly 60% of typical European tree species are endangered

More than half of Europe's specific woody plants, including those that used to be so popular, such as horse chestnut or rowan, are facing extinction.

Deutsche Welle (DW), citing a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said on September 27 that 42% of the 454 species of plants that can be found in Europe are being threatened, in particular, 58 % of 265 specific species are at risk of extinction.

Picture 1 of Nearly 60% of typical European tree species are endangered
Rowan is a plant that used to be very popular in Europe.

Craig Hilton-Taylor, IUCN's Red Book Director, affirmed that plants are essential for life on Earth, with European plants providing food and shelter for countless animals such as birds and Squirrel and economic role at the same time.

However, native species here are in danger of disappearing due to invasive alien organisms , including leaf-eating pests - originating from the Balkan Peninsula (southeastern Europe), are spread across this continent. In addition, indiscriminate logging, forest fires, tourism exploitation and unsustainable urban development are also causes.

Together with woody plants, nearly 50% of shrubs in Europe and 20% of terrestrial mollusks such as snails are also inevitable.

IUCN said that while these species are not of much interest, they play a very important role in ecosystems that provide food and air to humans.

IUCN is the nature conservation organization known by the publication of the annual Red Book. Founded in 1948, IUCN's mission is to warn the world about the deterioration of natural environment and the negative effects of human life on Earth.

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