The Global Tree Assessment
The Global Tree Assessment aims to assess the conservation status of every known tree species. This project is led by BGCI and the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Global Tree Specialist Group.
Global Tree Search
In 2017, BGCI launched GlobalTreeSearch, a database containing an up-to-date list of every tree species across the planet.
There are roughly 58,000 tree species in the world
Although at the start of the project we knew the names of trees and which countries they were native to, their risk of extinction was unknown.
Finding out the threat status of every tree species
The GTA aims to find out the threat status of every tree species before it is too late.
These assessments will be used to prioritise conservation efforts to ensure no tree species goes extinct.
Tijuca National Park (2015-04-09) by BGCIBotanic Gardens Conservation International
Tijuca National Park
An urban national park in the mountains of the city of Rio de Janeiro, part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Preserve.
The Global Tree Assessment has worked with many non-profit organisations, National Red List programmes, botanic gardens and other groups to ensure that trees in their region, country or genus of interest are assessed.
Workshops across the world
There are specific categories and criteria to assess how at risk a species is from extinction.
Workshops held around the world have trained assessors in the use of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Hard work pays off
Thanks to the efforts of the GTA and partners, there has been great progress around the world.
One example is Madagascar, which is home to over 3,000 tree species making it the twelfth most species rich country in the world with respect to tree diversity.
However, conservation assessments also revealed that over half of these species are threatened with extinction in the wild. This information will be used to prioritise conservation efforts.
Avenue of Baobabs, Madagascar by Malin RiversBotanic Gardens Conservation International
The Avenue of Baobabs
The Avenue of the Baobabs, or Alley of the Baobabs, is a prominent group of Grandidier's baobabs (Adansonia grandidieri) lining a road in the Menabe region of western Madagascar.
Assessments of taxonomic groups of trees were also completed
Including the Red List of Nothofagus, where the conservation assessments for all 37 species in this genus have been completed.
30% of Nothofagus species were identified as threatened with extinction in the wild. The main threats reported are habitat loss, wood harvesting and climate change.
Border between Pine plantation and Nothofagus alessandrii forest (2018-05-21) by Cristian EchevirraBotanic Gardens Conservation International
Pine plantation and Ruil Forest (Nothofagus alessandrii)
Border between pine plantation and Nothofagus alessandrii forest in Los Ruiles National Reserve
>80% of tree species have a Red List assessment
As of 2024, over 80% of tree species in the world have a Red List assessment on the IUCN Red List.
We continue to work with assessors and partners across the world to assess all tree species for their conservation status.
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