The Eco- Garden State Times
NJ Forest Ecosystems
By: Nikhil Parvathala
What aspects make NJ forests ecosystems?
In New Jersey, there is a multiplicity of plants, animals, and trees. For instance, it represents forest ecosystems because it allows stable living conditions for plants like orchids and carnivorous animals. Another possible reason is that 45% of New Jersey is covered by trees and this is clearly shown throughout the state. Since trees usually grow to humongous heights and develop larger life forms than standard plant forms, they have potential to widen to a numerous number of trees, creating forest structures. Forest ecology’s focal point concentrates on the population and community of organisms. This means that wild life, soil nutrients, water, and the Sun all contribute to the development of a forest. On the other hand, forests are home for trees with high amounts of density. They support a very environmental area for plants and animals to survive comfortably. To be specific, a shelter, food, clothing, stable internal conditions, and water are needed for them to survive. The communities of these highly dense lands have many cycles of interactions between organisms.
What area of New Jersey represents this ecosystem and how?
New Jersey is a deciduous forest! In Burlington County, the Bass River State Forest is recognized as and is a perfect example of a heavily forested area. This forest has millions of pine and oak trees. These plains are located in the Pine Barrens and stretches 23,563 acres.
In the middle of the Bass River Forest, there is Lake Absegami and surrounding it is lots of wildlife. From fish to birds and deer, there are various symbiotic relationships that take place in the community.
On the other hand, the Pine Barrens is a gigantic area of forests where very diverse life for different species of animals and plants take place. Additionally, this territory stretches across southern New Jersey and is seen as a mosaic of pitch pine woodlands. Similarly, on the coastal plains of NJ, there is a humid climate with sandy soils and a diverse pattern of vegetation.
Where are forests found in the world?
On Earth’s surface, approximately 1/3 of it is covered by trees. The three types of forests are tropical, temperate, and boreal forests. Tropical forests have very warm temperatures so they are usually found near the equator. Temperate forests apply climates of winter, summer, and fall. Also, it is a cycle of leaves growing in spring and falling off in winter. These deciduous forests are found in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, and Japan. For example, New Jersey has many temperate forests. Boreal forests have many evergreen trees because of their needles, which don’t need as much water as regular trees. They receive a low amount of rain (precipitation) every year. They can only be found in the northern hemisphere of Earth, mostly in Canada. Some popular forests are located in the Philippines, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Madagascar, Borneo, and Columbia. They all have diverse life for plants and animals to live.
NJ Forest Life
By: Andrew Klutz
Plants
There are many altering plants in “The Garden State.” They have different purposes, colors, and they go through Photosynthesis. Some significant ones include:
-Pitch Pine -Red Maple -Sheep Laurel -Cinnamon Fern -Pitcher Plant -Greenbrier
-Yellow Poplar -Smooth Alder -Inkberry Holly -Cow – Wheat -Red Chokeberry -Mountain Laurel
-Northern Red Oak -Bushy Beardgrass -Golden – Crest -Winged Sumac -Short Leaf Pine - Sweet Bay
-White Oak -Bear Berry -Pine Sap -Smooth Winter Berry Holly -Turkeybeard -Fetter - bush
-Ash -Arethusa -Indian Pipe -Trailing Artubus -Star – flower -Button Bush
-Sweet gum -Grass Pink -Black Oak -Chestnut Oak -Goat’s Rue -Round-leaved Sundew
-Atlantic White Cedar -Leather- Leaf -Maleberry -Pickerelweed -Sassafras -Spatulate-leaved Sundew
-Dog wood -Teaberry -Black Chokeberry -Highbush Blueberry -Scrub Oak - Thread-leaved Sundew
Animals
There are also many animals in New Jersey’s environment. They interact differently from human beings and have different symbiotic relationships. There are also animals that live in the unique forest of the Pine Barrens. Some of the animals in New Jersey’s forests and the pine lands are:
-White – Tailed Deer -Honey bees - Cayote -Timber Rattlesnake
-Gray squirrel -Carpenter bees -Wild Turkey - Brook Trout
-Raccoon - Ruffed Grouse - Bobcat -Masked Shrew
-Black bear -Gread Horned Owl -Brook Trout -Eastern Mole
-Canadian goose -Pileated Woodpecker -Pine Barrens Tree Frog -Eastern Chipmunk
Endangered
Endangered Species are those whose lives are in immediate danger and they need assistance to live. They can be endangered if they had a loss or change of habitat, predation, over population, competition, or disease struck them.
Endangered:
Red shouldered Hawk - It is not very visible and can be unidentified in wetland forests where it lives.
Atlantic Loggerhead – The population of these turtles is a tiny fraction of what it was before and it is decreasing tremendously. There could be a chance of extinction in the future for this species.
Indiana Bat – Over the last couple of decades, the steep population of this species has decreased. It is considered endangered throughout the eastern range of the United States.
Peregrine Falcon - this fast species that flies in the skies has fallen due to the fact of DDT which caused their eggs to fail, and they became extinct in the 1970’s. However, their existence was identified in the 1980’s and they are still struggling to survive.
Bald Eagle – Right now, there are about 80 of this species in the state of New Jersey. This is because of their sensitivity to their surroundings, habitat loss, and human disturbance. However, they have made a fantastic recovery from the past in increase in population.
American Bittern – this flying creature is a secretive marsh bird which is rarely seen. Hence, it is inferred that there has been a loss in population and habitat for this species.
Piping Plover – this bird is a common prey for many predators such as fox, cabs, cats, and dogs. As one gets eaten, there population decreases, therefore that is how they are endangered.
American Oystercatcher – they have a miniscule habitat and there has been increased predation.
Henslow’s Sparrow – Habitat loss, decreased development, less vegetative succession has all contributed to the decline of these birds.
Other endangered and threatened species:
Bobcat Blue – Spotted Salamander Osprey Least Tern
Eastern Woodrat American Burying Beetle Upland Sandpiper Sedge Wren
Indiana Rat Shortnose Sturgeon Northern Harrier Black Skimmer
North Eastern Beach Tiger Beetle Northern Goshawk Vesper Sparrow Atlantic Hawksbill
Mitchell’s Satyr Corn Snake Queen Snake Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle
Appalachian Grizzled Skipper Southern Gray Treefrog Bog Turtle Green Floater
Bronze Copper Brook Floater Eastern Tiger Salamander Short- Eared Owl
Arogos Skipper Dwarf Wedgemussel Atlantic Ridley Roseate Tern
NJ Forest Uses
By: Jack Goodman
How does this ecosystem help support our society?
Forests in New Jersey aid in keeping and supporting society in many beneficial ways. To start off with, trees are very essential to our lives and can influence economics because the more of them we have, the more supply we have to build wood houses and wood-like structures in the community. On the other hand, another significant reason is that it can be a habitat or source of vitamins, nutrients, and food for needy animals in the community. Research has shown that injured people can get out of the hospital earlier if they have a tree outside their window because obviously, somewhere along the line, trees provide nutrients that will keep you stronger. Lastly, trees provide numerous edible items and this could be because of “Photosynthesis.” This process could also be a reason why it is useful in many ways.
Why should we save it?
We should save it because trees help everyone positively. For example, they provide paper. This is very helpful for educational purposes. Without trees, there wouldn’t be anything so slim and white to write on. Also, states and teacher would need paper to create tests every year. Some other things it provides are sources for ships, fences, and wood. Wood is strong and valuable material that is needed to have a safe living space or home. Trees also have nutrients to provide fruits, oil, nuts, spices, raw rubber, latex, resin, fibers, drugs, and insecticides. An example where these trees in forests help animals is that it can be a shady area for animals to hide from the steaming sun or a place for organisms to camouflage themselves against the colors of the tree to prevent being eaten by a predator. Trees also give clean water, air, and oxygen. The significance of drinking water is that it makes up most of your human body and it can build some of your stamina. Trees improve water quality and it reduces the pollution that gets in the way of water. It also prevents heart problems, lungs problems, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other severe, life threatening problems. Air is important because you need it to live. Trees provide a natural air filter by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. Oxygen is important because it helps you breathe and keeps you alive. Besides, forests and trees can’t hurt you in any way that will impact your life dramatically. Lastly, trees save energy and can reduce your A/C bills in the summer because homes shaded by trees get more cooled with the leaves that cover it.
Possible consequences for not saving it…
If we don’t save this very useful source, we will barely have any oxygen to breathe and we will be inhaling carbon dioxide, which is very unhealthy for us. Trees convert carbon dioxide to oxygen and this could be because they carry the process of Photosynthesis. On the other hand, if trees disappeared, there would be no shelters for forest animals and they would lower in population. Sooner or later, if we don’t get oxygen, there would be a possibility that all of us would die.
Supported Industry
The NJDEP (the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) is willing to help all ecosystems in the state of New Jersey. They are a government agency that is responsible for managing natural resources and addressing issues related to pollution in NJ. Additionally, the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forests is an aiding branch of the brilliant corporation. It is in charge of keeping order for plants, animals, organisms, and other species in forested lands.
The Native Plant Society of NJ is a statewide non-profit organization founded for the appreciation, protection, and study of the native flora of New Jersey. They give advice on maintenance of native gardens, forests, and landscapes. They are excellent at identifying native plants.
Subsequently, The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey is a very caring organization. They are a very thoughtful organization. They adopt unknown or known species that don’t have a home and are endangered. They try to protect animals and let them live peacefully.
Citations
"Bass River State Forest." Bass River State Forest. Expanded Edition. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 2005. Print.
Wales, Jimmy. "Pine Barrens(New Jersey)." Pine Barrens( New Jersey). Expanded Edition. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 2010. Print.
"New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection." State Park Service. Trenton, New Jersey: 1996. Print.
"Habitat Restoration Projects." Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Print.
Donohue, Steven. "Green Scapes - Native Plant Society of New Jersey." Revised. Mulica River, New Jersey: Print.
"Biomes of the World: Forests." Kidzworld Company, Print.
Textbook – Biomes – Tropical, Boreal, Temperate (Decidious) Forests
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