Are Ghost Forests Scary? - Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs in Salt Impacted Forests
Elliott Campbell, PhD. Director, Office for Science and Research, Maryland Department of Natural Resources & Anthony Campbell, PhD. Assistant Research Scientist, Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) II, University of Maryland, Baltimore County present “Are Ghost Forests Scary? - Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs in Salt Impacted Forests” at the September 2026 RISING Webinar.
Presentation Description: Forests experiencing degradation and die-off due to saltwater intrusion, or “ghost forests”, are prevalent on the Delmarva Peninsula and growing rapidly. The area of ghost forest in Maryland has doubled over 10 years, going from ~35,000 acres in 2014 to over 70,000 acres in 2024, with the majority of that area experiencing “severe” impact (>50% mortality). This change has resulted in a novel ecosystem where coastal forests are transitioning to wetlands, often dominated by Phragmites australis, an invasive species common throughout our region. We discuss how the ecosystem services these systems provide change during transition and potential management actions for maximizing ecological benefits.
Resources:
Recent publication by Dr. Campbell and Dr. Campbell:
Campbell & Campbell, 2026: The case for and against Phragmites australis: an ecosystem service cost–benefit analysis for Chesapeake Bay marshes.
Select journal articles referenced in the presentation:
Gibson et al., 2021: Identification, Mitigation, and Adaptation to Salinization on Working Lands in the U.S. Southeast
Yeung et al., 2025: Overlooked and extensive ghost forest formation across the US Atlantic coast
Kirwan et al. 2023, Geomorphic and ecological constraints on the coastal carbon sink
Tully et al., 2019: Soils in transition: saltwater intrusion alters soil chemistry in agricultural fields
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