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Agriculture, over-exploitation push Magnolia species to the brink of extinction

Magnolia species to the brink of extinction

It seems indiscriminate and unplanned agricultural expansion and over-exploitation alone is going to wipe out several species for our planet. Even the world’s magnolia species is presently facing extinction in their native forest habitats – agriculture and over-exploitation are to be blamed for this too.

Do you know, 131 wild maganolias from a total of 245 species worldwide are already in danger of extinction?
That is what the Red List of the Magnoliace says. Co-authored by Professor Adrian Newton and Daniele Cicuzza from BU’s Environmental and Geographical Sciences Group with Sara Oldfield of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the Red List identifies threats to magnolia species’ existence, which includes the destruction of habitat.

If the magnolia species go extinct, it will affect the species’ genetic diversity, as they also serve as indicators, highly sensitive of the well-being of the forests in which they are found.

Professor Newton said,

The maps provide an excellent baseline for future monitoring and conservation planning at a time of rapid environmental change. Comparing species distribution with forest cover for a whole family of flowering plants gives us a unique snapshot of forest biodiversity.

Adding to this, Sara Oldfield said,

There is a strong chance that these species will become extinct unless we take action now. That would be a tragedy because they’re so important in local livelihoods and also we would be losing some beautiful trees for ever.

True, the species may soon go extinct. But, can there be a single-step solution to this? Taking action would mean curbing over-exploitation of the flower or stop expansion of agriculture into the native forest of the flower – which apparently seems simpler, but, it means capping huge business linked directly or indirectly to the flower’s native forests.

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