Mississippi floodplains losing trees to increasing floods

Worsening floods are leading to extensive tree loss and habitat changes along the upper Mississippi River.

Richard Mertens reports for Yale E360.

In short:

• Intensified flooding along the upper Mississippi is killing off significant numbers of floodplain forests, including various species such as silver maple and elm.
• The Army Corps of Engineers is working on a restoration project to combat tree loss and invasive species, aiming to enhance biodiversity and habitat for wildlife.
• While certain bird species benefit from the changes, overall forest health is declining, affecting ecological diversity and regional water management.

Key quote:

“The magnitude of this is kind of mind-blowing. You just don’t see hundreds of acres of dead trees.”

— Andy Meier, forester, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Why this matters:

The loss of floodplain forests due to climate-induced flooding is alarming because these ecosystems play a crucial role in biodiversity, flood mitigation, and climate regulation.

Be sure to read: Severe flooding increasingly cutting people off from health care.