(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A report on the future of trees across the U.S. also sheds light on the threat to trees in the Chicago area.
Murphy Westwood is the vice president of science and conservation at the Morton Arboretum, and was the senior author of a study just published in the journal, "Plants People Planet."
She said her team found that one out of six tree species in the lower 48 states is at risk of extinction. She said Chicago-area trees are also at risk, including ash trees because of insect infestation, oak trees because of disease, and other species because of climate change and shrinking habitat.
“We are in a critical time period right now. It is universally accepted by the scientific community that we have a narrowing window to take action on issues. The two biggest global environmental issues right now are climate change and biodiversity loss, and they’re linked as this report shows,” Westwood said.
Westwood is calling on local, state and federal leaders to expand efforts to limit the spread of harmful insects and diseases, plant more native trees that are less threatened and reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.
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