Rising water is creating inland ghost forests in the US
New Scientist 2026-10-09 13:00:00
Context: Rising water levels are causing widespread tree die-offs in the US, both near the coasts and inland near lakes, resulting in the creation of "ghost forests." Researchers have used aerial imagery to map dead trees across the country, revealing over 260 million dead trees, with more than half of the mortality concentrated in just 10 per cent of the mapped forests. This phenomenon may force a re-evaluation of how much carbon is stored in forests, which are crucial carbon sinks for mitigating the effects of climate change.
Key Facts
- Over 260 million dead trees have been identified in the US, with more than half of the mortality concentrated in just 10 per cent of the mapped forests.
- North Carolina is thought to have lost 21 per cent of its coastal forest between 1985 and 2021 due to waterlogged soil and higher salt levels resulting from rising seawater.
- Tree mortality tripled in low-lying coastal forests between 2012 and 2023, where water inundation was combined with increased levels of salt.
- Global mean sea levels are rising at about 4.1 millimetres per year, and saltwater intrusion is expected to affect nearly 77 per cent of the world’s coastlines by 2100.