Experts issue red warning over maple trees at risk of extinction
● One in five of striking species under threat
More than one in five species of maple trees, whose rich colours are one of the striking sights of autumn, are at high risk of extinction, experts warn.
The latest“Red List” for maples or Acers, published by Botanic Gardens Conservation Inter na ti on al(BGCI ), reveals that 36 out of the 158 species, some 23 per cent, are at high risk of extinction in the near future in the wild.
It shows that more than a third of maple species are facing a loss of habitat as a result of urban development and increased agriculture, while timber harvesting is also a major threat.
Acers are largely native to the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, though their range extends to subtropical and tropical regions and species are found as far south as Indonesia in the southern hemisphere.
Maples are popular as ornamental trees in parks and gardens, while in woodlands they provide a key component of the natural ecosystem.
The turning of maple leaves to an array of red, purple, russet and gold in autumn is eagerly anticipated by nature lovers.
They are a source of maple syrup, and they provide an important timber crop in some countries.
The report, part of the International Union for Conser - vation of Nature (IUCN) Red
List of threatened species, is contributing to a global tree assessment to analyse the status of all tree species by 2020.
It reveals seven species are critically endangered, the highest level for risk of future extinction, while 14 are endangered and 15 are vulnerable to extinction.
Two of the closest relatives to the North American sugar maple, which produces maple syrup, are listed as critically endangered.
That includes a maple from Mexico which was only dis
covered as a new species in the past few years and which is at risk from climate change in its cloud forest home and threatened by grazing, logging and forest fires.
But more than seven in ten Acer species (71.5 per cent) are not at risk, and the only spe - cies found in the UK, the field maple, is not under threat.
China is home to the largest proportion of maple species, with 92 species.
Some 14 of the 23 Acers that are at risk of extinction in China are only found in the coun
try, with limited geographical ranges, small populations, and the threat of urban sprawl.
Species which are widespread across areas such as Asia or North America are generally not at risk.
The rep or t said that while con serving at-risk species in their natural habitat in the wild is the best option ,“ex situ” collections such as botanic gardens and seed banks are an insurance policy against extinction.
“Ex situ collections such as botanic gardens and seed banks are an insurance policy against extinction
IUCN REPORT