It seems clear that the dying trees are one more sign of danger, one more omen warning us that something is terribly wrong. The reasons are many and varied. In most places, in truth, it's probably various combinations of all these factors. Scientists are playing catch-up now, conducting studies that may explain the complicated causes of widespread tree death. But, as with toxics problems, if we postpone action until the scientists have described the problems completely, we'll get the answers too late to do any good.
Answers come slowly.
So far as he knew, he was describing a healthy ecosystem. He measured the types and sizes of the trees, and various other aspects of the ecosystem. He had no particular purpose in mind, other than to gather knowledge about nature. Periodically, he re-surveyed Camel's Hump, and a pattern began to emerge. The trees were dying.