Ghost forests: Eerie remnants of coastal ecosystems

Ghost forests: Eerie remnants of coastal ecosystems

Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey are investigating eerie landscapes known as ‘ghost forests,’ which emerge when the coastal landscapes become inundated with sea level rise or flooding. Scientists point to forests in eastern North Carolina that now have a ghoulish appearance. Studies have found organisms residing in dead trees can convert methane into carbon dioxide, which is less harmful to the environment.