A new UC Santa Cruz study warns that California's iconic native trees, such as blue oaks and Western Joshua trees, are at greater risk from climate change than current international rankings show. - The study projects that over the next century, these trees could lose 50-75% of their climatically suitable habitat.
- Even under conservative forecasts, most species qualify for higher threat levels on the IUCN Red List. - The phenomenon of "zombie forests"—adult trees that can no longer reproduce—is already occurring.
- Regions like the Sierra Nevada foothills and the eastern Bay Area are identified as loss hotspots, while parts of the Central Coast and higher Sierra Nevada elevations are potential refuges. The findings urge conservationists to use climate-informed maps to prioritize land protection and management strategies.