The Guadiana river in Spain, which nearly vanished in August THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images
The crunch of leaves underfoot is usually associated with autumn. But this year, it was the soundtrack to summer strolls across Europe, as maximum temperature records fell and the continent suffered its worst drought in 500 years.
The dry weather pushed millions of trees into survival mode, with many shedding leaves to conserve water and energy.
Their bare branches were one of the most visible signs of a landscape in crisis during the long hot summer as rivers, reservoirs …
