A new estimate suggests that Earth's forests conceal over 9,200 kinds of trees that scientists have yet to discover.
More than 100 scientists from across the world collaborated to create the largest global forest database to date, and in a study published, they produced a science-backed estimate about how many tree species they have yet to discover.
The massive multinational research effort - comprising the labor of over 100 experts - believes that there are around 73,000 tree species on Earth in total, but we've only documented about 64,000 of these thus far.
The remainder, according to researchers, translates to approximately 9,200 unidentified tree species that have thus far slipped scientific attention and study.
According to the study authors, over a third of the undiscovered tree species are expected to be rare and have limited dispersion, making them particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The climate in South America, where over 40% of undiscovered tree species are thought to live, has been historically steady, implying that the flora hasn't adapted to adapt to abrupt changes.
However, researchers predict that as the climate crisis brings more extreme weather changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, these South American trees, in particular, will struggle to survive.
Peter Reich, a co-author on the study and the Director of the Institute for Global Change Biology at the University of Michigan and Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota, said this study is about knowing what we've got before it's gone.
"We know that we're losing trees to deforestation and climate change -- species are going extinct. And that's important," Reich said. "But actually, knowing what you have before you lose it is important."
Trees are one of the world's largest and most diverse flora, accounting for a considerable portion of the planet's biodiversity. They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, generate breathable oxygen, and are home to a variety of insects and birds.
According to the study, tree biodiversity is critical for the health of forest ecosystems, and quantifying tree species populations makes it easier to prioritize conservation efforts as climate change tightens its grip on the planet.
"By establishing a quantitative benchmark, this study could contribute to tree and forest conservation efforts and the future discovery of new trees and associated species in certain parts of the world," Reich pointed out.
This study demonstrates how little we know about the magnificent organism and has piqued experts' interest in learning more.
The findings are reported in PNAS.
