North Carolina lost 21% of coastal forests in just 36 years

North Carolina has lost 21 percent of its coastal forests over a 36-year period, according to recent research. The decline in forest cover experienced an accelerated pace following the year 2010.

Researchers attribute the loss to environmental pressures including rising sea levels and increased soil salinity. These conditions have driven a transformation of formerly green areas into marshes, low shrubs, and ghost forests.