I am expanding on research that investigates the proliferation of ghost forests in eastern North Carolina, caused by saltwater exposure and drought. This project integrates multi-decadal field sampling with satellite imagery from Landsat and additional data to explore the links between regional precipitation patterns, salinization, and vegetation change, providing insights into how climate change is reshaping coastal ecosystems. 

I am investigating how wrack deposition in specific North Carolina marshes is accelerating habitat loss by converting vegetated areas into open water, and comparing these dynamics to other tidal marshes across the Southeast. My research focuses on understanding how these disturbances impact coastal systems, contributing to long-term changes in marsh stability and resilience.