Threats to Tree Species

Agriculture

Crops, plantations, and timber crops

Tree species are threatened by farming as a result of agricultural expansion and intensification. These threats include crops planted for food, fodder, fibre, fuel or other uses.

Development

Housing, commercial, transport, recreational, industrial, and tourist areas

Tree species are threatened by human settlements or other non-agricultural land uses with a substantial footprint including human cities, towns, factories, commercial centres, tourism and recreation sites, and more.

Energy production & mining

Tree species are threatened by the production of non-biological resources including exploring for, developing, and producing petroleum and other liquid hydrocarbons, minerals and rocks, and even renewable energy sources.

Fire & fire suppression

Tree species are threatened by actions that convert or degrade habitat in service of ‘managing’ natural or semi-natural systems, often to improve human welfare. This includes the suppression or increase in fire frequency and/or intensity outside of its natural range of variation.

Gathering of plants

Tree species are threatened by the harvesting for commercial, recreation, subsistence, research or cultural purposes, or for control reasons.

Livestock

Tree species are threatened by livestock farming and ranching as a result of agricultural expansion and intensification. These threats include domestic terrestrial animals raised in one location farmed or non-local resources, domestic or semi-domesticated animals allowed to roam in the wild and supported by natural habitats.

Logging

Tree species are threatened by logging and the harvesting of trees and other woody vegetation for timber, fibre, or fuel.