Climate change and large-scale degradation of spruce: common pattern across the globe

Abstract

Massive degradation of spruce Picea spp. forests, due to increased temperatures, has been reported from many parts of the world. We have detected large-scale yellowing of Picea smithiana Boiss. in the western Himalayas, where temperatures have increased by 0.6 degrees C in the last 3 decades. Large-scale degradation of P. smithiana has never been observed in the Himalayan region to date.