Half of Amazon tree species at risk of extinction if deforestation continues

Up to 57% of tree species - including Brazil nut and aiai fruit - would qualify as endangered if current trends continue, researchers say

South America's vast Amazon region harbors one of the world's most diverse collection of tree species, but more than half may be at risk for extinction due to ongoing deforestation to clear land for farming, ranching and other purposes, scientists say.

Researchers said on Friday that if recent trends continued, between 36 and 57% of the estimated 15,000 Amazonian tree species likely would qualify as threatened with extinction under criteria used by the group that makes such determinations, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.