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 The wild ancestors of common domestic fruit trees are in danger of becoming 
extinct, scientists have warned.                                   
                                                                              
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
 Researchers have published a "red list" of threatened species that grow in 
the forests of Central Asia.                                        
                                                                              
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
 These disease-resistant and climate-tolerant fruit trees could play a role 
in our future food security.                                        
                                                                              
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
 But in the last 50 years, about 90% of the forests have been destroyed, 
according to conservation charity, Fauna & Flora International.        
                                                                              
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
 The Red List of Central Asia identifies 44 tree species in Kyrgyzstan, 
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan as under threat     
 from extinction.                                                             
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
 It cites over-exploitation and human development as among the main threats 
to the region's forests, which are home to more than 300 wild fruit 
 and nut species including apple, plum, cherry, apricot and walnut.           
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  
                                                                              
                                                                  



continues at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8036785.stm