Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Simulating Impacts of Ice Storms on Forest Ecosystems
Published on: June 30, 2020
Sea-level rise and storm surges structure coastal forests into persistence and regeneration niches
William S Kearney1, Arnold Fernandes1, Sergio Fagherazzi1
1Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Abstract:
The retreat of coastal forests as sea level rises is well documented; however, the mechanisms which control this retreat vary with the physical and biological setting of the interface between tidal marsh and forest. Tidal flooding and saltwater intrusion as well as flooding and wind associated with storms can kill trees. Even if these processes do not kill stands, they may halt regeneration because seedlings are more sensitive to stress. We present a case study of a coastal pine forest on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States. This forest contains a persistent but nonregenerating zone of mature trees, the size of which is related to the sea level rise experienced since forest establishment. The transgression of coastal forest and shrub or marsh ecosystems is an ecological ratchet: sea-level rise pushes the regeneration boundary further into the forest while extreme events move the persistence boundary up to the regeneration boundary.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Ecological Niches
Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...
Rise of Liquid in a Capillary Tube
Global Climate Change
Stem Cell Niche
Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...

