Ghost Forests Expanding Along U.S. East Coast Due to Rising Sea Levels

New research highlights the transformation of coastal woodlands into ghost forests, with implications for climate change and coastal ecosystems.

Ghost forests, characterized by dead and dying trees, are appearing along the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida.
The phenomenon is primarily driven by rising sea levels, which lead to saltwater intrusion and the poisoning of freshwater-dependent trees.
NASA satellite images reveal a significant increase in ghost forest coverage in North Carolina's coastal regions over the past two decades.
Research indicates that these ghost forests contribute to greenhouse gas dynamics, with organisms converting methane to less potent carbon dioxide.
The loss of coastal forests reduces natural barriers against storm surges and erosion, increasing vulnerability for nearby communities.