Italy planted millions of spruce trees to protect the Alps; 90 years later, scientists find biodiversity has halved |
In the 1930s, under Mussolini’s fascist regime, Italy launched a sweeping reforestation drive across the northern Alps. The goal was to practically prevent soil erosion, secure timber, and project an image of national productivity. The chosen tree was Norway spruce (Picea abies), a fast-growing conifer prized for its straight trunk and reliable wood yield. Thousands…
