Forests are dying along North Carolina s coast—and it s speeding up

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Published: 2026-10-05T22:09:13.135Z • Permanent link

North Carolina's Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula has witnessed a devastating trend of coastal forest loss, accelerating over the past two decades. A new study, conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina, reveals that the rate of deforestation has increased significantly since 2010. According to data from the US Forest Service, the state has lost over 20% of its coastal forest between 1985 and 2021, with the loss accelerating to a rate of 1.4% per year between 2010 and 2021. Dr. Rachel Morello-Frosch, a lead researcher on the study, notes that the loss of coastal forests not only threatens biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.

The study's findings have significant implications for the forestry industry, particularly for companies that rely on sustainable forestry practices. Companies such as Weyerhaeuser and International Paper, which have operations in North Carolina, must now reassess their forestry management strategies to mitigate the effects of coastal forest loss. The study's data also highlights the need for policymakers to implement effective conservation measures, such as the creation of protected areas and restoration programs. In 2019, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Coastal Forest Protection Act, which aims to protect and restore 1 million acres of coastal forests by 2030. However, the study's findings suggest that more needs to be done to address the scale and pace of coastal forest loss.

The study's release has also sparked concerns among researchers and policymakers about the long-term implications of coastal forest loss. Dr. Jonathan Lovullo, a forest ecologist at the University of Maryland, notes that the loss of coastal forests can have cascading effects on ecosystem services, including water filtration and shoreline stabilization. The study's findings also highlight the need for more effective data collection and monitoring systems to track changes in forest cover and identify areas of high conservation value.

The study's findings have significant implications for the forestry industry, particularly for companies that rely on sustainable forestry practices. Companies such as Weyerhaeuser and International Paper, which have operations in North Carolina, must now reassess their forestry management strategies to mitigate the effects of coastal forest loss. The study's data also highlights the need for policymakers to implement effective conservation measures, such as the creation of protected areas and restoration programs. In the research community, the study's findings have sparked debates about the effectiveness of current conservation strategies and the need for more robust monitoring systems.

The study's release has also sparked concerns among researchers and policymakers about the long-term implications of coastal forest loss. Dr. Jonathan Lovullo, a forest ecologist at the University of Maryland, notes that the loss of coastal forests can have cascading effects on ecosystem services, including water filtration and shoreline stabilization. The study's findings also highlight the need for more effective data collection and monitoring systems to track changes in forest cover and identify areas of high conservation value. The study's release has also sparked concerns among researchers and policymakers about the long-term implications of coastal forest loss.

The forestry industry's response to the study's findings will have significant implications for the markets and economies affected by coastal forest loss. Companies that fail to adapt to changing environmental conditions may face significant financial and reputational risks. In the research community, the study's findings have sparked debates about the effectiveness of current conservation strategies and the need for more robust monitoring systems.