Pinelands National Reserve Research Articles

Temporal and spatial changes in an area of the New Jersey Pine Barrens landscape

In order to document the extent of landscape fragmentation for a section of the New Jersey Pine Barrens region, we have used satellite image and spatial analysis to monitor landscape change between 1972 and 1988. Land-cover patterns were quantified by mean, number, and size of patches; and amount of edges between land cover types. During the intervening sixteen year period, fractal dimension, diversity, and contagion generally decreased while dominance, disturbance and edges increased, indicating a trend to a more dissected and disturbed landscape. There was an increase in the number of forest patches and a significant decrease in the average size of forest patches. In contrast, the mean patch size for the non-forest category has increased as a result of a coalescence of patches. The landscape fragmentation is shown by a downward shift in the distribution of forest patches by size class. These changes in landscape pattern have implications for many ecological processes and resources. Management practices need to consider landscape fragmentation in the Pinelands National Reserve in order to preserve the essential character of the Pine Barrens landscape.

The use of theory in land management decisions: The New Jersey pine barrens

The New Jersey Pine Barrens are an oasis of rare species, unique ecosystems and open space in the midst of the Boston to Washington megalopolis. Because this area has a long history of human exploitation and private land ownership direct purchase as a park is unfeasible and inappropriate. The alternative conservation strategy that has been adopted is to create a ‘green line’ park, the Pinelands National Reserve, in which all of the land included within the boundaries of the Reserve is subject to regulations on building and development, while some of the most critical areas are protected by purchase. Conservationists used the strong base of scientific knowledge of the area and theory to gain protection for fragile ecosystems. This use of emerging theory to protect parts of the landscape is an example of the kind of innovative planning that is necessary to protect land in areas where there is already much human impact and pressure for development.

Restoring the Pygmy Pine Forests of New Jersey's Pine Barrens

AbstractThe Pinelands National Reserve and UNESCO Biosphere encompass a large portion of southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens. Within the core preservation zone of these Reserves lies the Warren Grove Weapons Range, a military installation where exercises during the past 50 years have devastated portions of the indigenous pygmy pine‐oak forest. In 1987, restoration efforts were initiated to identify materials and techniques that promote a diverse and productive native plant community atop drastically disturbed portions of the range. We used trial plantings to examine fertilizer and sewage compost fertility amendments, the effect of different native plant mixtures (including the dwarfed race of pitch pine, Pinus rigida), the influence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius on the growth of pines and associated species, and mulch applications to conserve moisture and add organic matter. Following two growing seasons, test plantings exhibited 25% of the vegetation production found in the surrounding pine‐oak community, 50% canopy closure, and levels of diversity comparable to the reference site. Maximum biomass and cover were achieved following the application of 16 Mg/ha compost and the establishment of pitch pine seedlings. Pitch pine was the dominant species in all plots where it was planted, with herbaceous species comprising the balance of the developing vegetation. Amendments of seeded grasses, P. tinctorius, and mulch influenced species composition but failed to enhance total plant production. We recommend restoring drastically disturbed sites in the pine plains with cultural input of compost to the spoils and planting of pitch pines and other woody species to accelerate the structural blending of reforested sites with the surrounding native vegetation.

Pinelands national reserve: An intergovernmental approach to nature preservation

The Pinelands National Reserve was created in 1978 when private interests and federal, state, and local governments allied to protect 378,000 ha (935,000 acres) of New Jersey's Pine Barrens from encroaching development. An intergovernmental authority, the Pinelands Commission, manages the reserve by implementing a regional plan to guide development away from environmentally sensitive areas and into designated growth centers. Through transferable development rights, financial gains from development in growth centers are used to compensate owners and localities in the reserve who might otherwise have developed their lands.

The Pinelands National Reserve: An Ecosystem Approach to Management

The history of the designation of the New Jersey Pine Barrens as the nation's first National Reserve is reviewed, and the natural features and land-use history of the Barrens are described. Federal legislation created the Pinelands National Reserve, and state legislation endorsed the establishment of the Pinelands Commission, which developed land-use regulations in its Comprehensive Management Plan. The regulations provide for a continuum of protection, ranging from maintenance of pristine conditions to high-density development in designated areas. Continued maintenance and enhancement of Pinelands ecosystems will depend on appropriate application of existing knowledge and future studies in such areas as nutrient transfer, the role of fire in nutrient dynamics, sustainable aquifer yields, and the effects of ecosystem fragmentation. (Accepted for publication 21 October 1983)