Succession, regression and loss: does evidence of saltwater exposure explain recent changes in the tree communities of North Carolina's Coastal Plain?

Summary: Trees near the ocean are in danger because sea levels are rising. When ocean water floods the land, it leaves salt in the soil. Scientists looked at 34 forest areas in North Carolina to see how the trees are doing. They found that in lower areas with more salt in the dirt, trees are dying and losing their size. In higher areas with less salt, trees are still growing well. This salt damage is a big problem because we need these forests to trap carbon and protect us from floods.