Simultaneously with the release of the State of the World's Trees report in September 2021 (bgci.org/news-events/bgci-launches-the-state-of-the-worlds-trees-report), Botanic Gardens Conservation International released the GlobalTree Portal (bgci.org/resources/bgci-databases/globaltree-portal), a hub for the data collected during the Global Tree Assessment. This is the first portal dedicated to tree conservation information and is a vital source of information for prioritization of action to prevent the extinction of any of the world's c. 60,000 tree species.
The initial results of the Global Tree Assessment, a project bringing together data from experts worldwide to assess the conservation status of the world's tree species, revealed that at least 30% are threatened with extinction. The GlobalTree Portal is a response to the need to help prioritize conservation action for those species at highest risk of extinction.
The GlobalTree Portal displays information on a species at both country and global levels. It covers conservation status, both on the IUCN Red List and BGCI's ThreatSearch database (tools.bgci.org/threat_search.php), and conservation action information, both in situ and ex situ. At the country level, checklists of native tree species, detailing endemism and IUCN Red List status, can be downloaded. The species-level search features the Conservation Action Tracker, showing information on conservation actions that are already in place. It also allows conservation practitioners to contribute and update information on conservation actions for any tree species.
The GlobalTree Portal is a global resource for tree conservation, providing data that have hitherto been unavailable. It can be used to identify gaps in conservation at various levels, facilitating policy change and direct action. This resource demonstrates that conservation action is not in place for many of the most threatened tree species, and these are therefore a priority for protection.
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