Across large areas of the southern Appalachians, a progressive loss of winter greenness is common, particularly on wetter slopes. As shown in the inset graph for one site east of Mount Mitchell and the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC, summer greenness has stayed normal while winter greenness progressively declined over recent years. This decline is the result of the non-native hemlock wooly adelgid that is causing widespread hemlock mortality. Unlike mortality in the Northeast, where this invader has progressed more slowly due to colder winter temperatures, mortality in the Southern Appalachians is as clear as is tree death from severe wildfire. (image: Steve Norman, US Forest Service)
Monitor this decline on the Assessment Viewer here:
http://forwarn.forestthreats.org/fcav/?theme=MODIS_Forest_Change_Product...
