Jonathan Chipman

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Alpine peaks across Northeast U.S. and Canada are greening as shrubs move in

As of September 2026: Led the first regional satellite analysis of alpine greening in the northern Appalachians

Dartmouth researchers analyzed 40 years of Landsat satellite imagery and found that alpine zones across the northeastern U.S. and Canada are turning greener. Vegetation increased significantly in 69% of the 35 zones studied, covering 88% of the region's alpine area.

Updated Sep 25

Notable Quotes

Our results show that significant greening and shrubification, in which alpine plants are being replaced by shrubs, is occurring inside the alpine zone, not just where the tree line is advancing.

from Alpine peaks across Northeast U.S. and Canada are greening as shrubs move in · Updated Sep 25

What we're seeing is that this greening trend on mountains in the Northeast is kind of being held back on the windy side of the mountains, but there's this kind of growth that is being unleashed on the more sheltered sides, where it's occurring faster.

from Alpine peaks across Northeast U.S. and Canada are greening as shrubs move in · Updated Sep 25