Sea level rise is causing more frequent saltwater floods at higher and higher elevations near the coast. More frequent saltwater flooding puts many trees in these low-lying areas at risk of death; mortality of trees along our coasts has been expanding, creating a landscape of ghost forests. In addition to causing sea level rise, climate change is leading to warmer temperatures, and shifts in precipitation patterns. Different tree species are adapted for specific seasonal temperatures and need adequate moisture, but interactions among saltwater flooding, temperatures, and precipitation could be complicated. Although death might be inevitable, what factors are affecting tree growth before they die? Could knowing those factors help managers mitigate or plan for the future? In this talk, we'll explore how climate and sea level are affecting American holly (Ilex opaca) in a low elevation forest along the St. Jones River in Delaware.
This is a FREE event, but pre-registration is required.
About the Speaker: Dr. LeeAnn Haaf, a recent PhD graduate of Drexel University’s Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) Department, studies the effects of climate change and sea-level rise on low-lying tree growth in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. She is the Estuary Science Manager with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.
