Fieldwork

Ghost forests in coastal areas, known as dead or dying trees, are striking indicators of sea-level rise, increased salinity, and climate change. In response to salinization and inundation, healthy freshwater-dependent coastal forests are transitioning to stark landscapes dominated by dead tree remnants and salt-tolerant shrubs, or sometimes to vibrant marshes or open water. This image captures ghost forests, i.e., standing dead trees, surrounded by understory shrubs, that remain as evidence of long-term coastal ecosystem change. Once a living forest, the area has been transformed by rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and increased flooding, resulting in widespread tree mortality. The stark silhouettes highlight the ongoing transition of coastal landscapes under environmental stress and climate-driven change along the coastal plains of North Carolina, USA.