More than half of Amazon tree species seen at risk of extinction

Traditional slash and burn agriculture is shown in central Guyana in this handout courtesy of Hans ter Steege taken in 2000. REUTERS/Hans ter Steege/Handout via Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - South America's vast Amazon region harbours 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 percent 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.