Sierra Magazine highlights forest impacts from Helene and lab’s ongoing research on forest resilience
A new Sierra article explores the long-term impacts of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina’s forests, including tree loss, fire risk, and shifting species composition. Our lab contributed insight into how storm damage affects forest resilience and recovery. Understanding these dynamics is key to guiding restoration efforts and preparing for more frequent, intense storms in the region.
New study: Advancing hurricane ecology in endangered systems
Longleaf pine savannas are iconic and endangered ecosystems along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, but intensifying hurricanes pose a growing threat to their persistence. Our team reviewed storm impacts across the longleaf range and found that 85% of remaining habitat experiences tropical storm-force winds every six years. We identified key risk factors—like fire, insects, and salvage logging—that can compound management challenges and delay recovery. This study, published in the journal BioScience highlights the need for climate-informed management strategies that build resilience in the face of increasingly frequent storms.