Many invasive species, insect pests, and pathogens in the Mid-Atlantic will increase or become more damaging.

Changes in climate may allow some nonnative plant species, insect pests, and pathogens to expand their ranges farther north as the climate warms and the growing season increases. The abundance and distribution of some nonnative plant species may be able to increase directly in response to a warmer climate and also indirectly through increased invasion of stressed or disturbed forests. Similarly, forest pests and pathogens are generally able to respond rapidly to changes in climate and also disproportionately damage-stressed ecosystems. For example, southern pine beetle and hemlock wooly adelgid have been able to expand their ranges during the warmer winter temperatures.