In the Harz mountains of northern Germany, there is a tiny bark-eating pest called the “book printer” beetle that has been causing significant damage to the local spruce forests. These beetles typically kill a few spruces each summer as they lay their eggs in the tree’s cambium layer, but in recent years, they have caused widespread devastation. Two-thirds of the spruce population has already been destroyed, and with climate change making the region drier and more favorable for the beetles, forest conservationists fear the worst. While there is no easy solution, forest managers are working to remove susceptible trees and use pesticides when necessary. Conservation efforts may also include planting other tree species that can better withstand the changing climate.
https://apnews.com/article/climate-germany-bark-beetles-harz-spruce-2211332b8e841ad18fc16267bcbec6dc