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Pinelands Research Active

By New Jersey Water Science Center August 16, 2017

The New Jersey Pine Barrens, or Pinelands National Reserve (PNR), is a vast and unique ecosystem comprising approximately a 938,000-acre area of southern New Jersey. It spans portions of seven counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean), and  all or part of 56 municipalities. It is home to dozens of rare plant and animal species, and the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system, which contains an estimated 17 trillion gallons of water. 

The New Jersey Water Science Center has had a long tradition of research covering this natural wonder. Studies by staff scientists address a wide range of environmental topics, including Pinelands water quality, hydrology, watershed and landscape assessments, and aquatic and wetland ecology.

Map defining the New Jersey Pinelands
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Map depicting the bounderies of the New Jersey Pinelands Management Areas

USGS NJWSC projects within the Pinelands National Reserve.

link
Two frogs

Emerging Contaminants and their Effects on Fish and Frogs

The endocrine system in animals produce hormones to regulate essential life processes, such as metabolism, tissue function, reproduction, and development. A large group of natural and synthetic chemicals are known to disrupt endocrine function. Examples include plant hormones, plastic components, flame retardants, surfactants, fragrances, pesticides, etc. Endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs...
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Emerging Contaminants and their Effects on Fish and Frogs

The endocrine system in animals produce hormones to regulate essential life processes, such as metabolism, tissue function, reproduction, and development. A large group of natural and synthetic chemicals are known to disrupt endocrine function. Examples include plant hormones, plastic components, flame retardants, surfactants, fragrances, pesticides, etc. Endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs...
Learn More
link
Processing Fish at Echo Lake

Point and Nonpoint Sources of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and the Potential effects on Fish and Frogs in the New Jersey Pinelands

Scientists from the NJ WSC, Leetown Science Center and New Jersey Pinelands Commission recently initiated a 4 year study designed to characterize the point and non-point sources of endocrine disrupting compound (EDCs) and their potential effects on fish and frogs in the NJ Pinelands.
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Point and Nonpoint Sources of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and the Potential effects on Fish and Frogs in the New Jersey Pinelands

Scientists from the NJ WSC, Leetown Science Center and New Jersey Pinelands Commission recently initiated a 4 year study designed to characterize the point and non-point sources of endocrine disrupting compound (EDCs) and their potential effects on fish and frogs in the NJ Pinelands.
Learn More
link
Examining Bullfrog tadpoles

Pesticides and Amphibian Pathogens in Natural and Created Wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands

The New Jersey Water Science Center in collaboration with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and Montclair University, conducted a 4 year study to assess the functional equivalency of ponds and stormwater basins in the New Jersey Pinelands by comparing indicators of hydrologic condition, water quality (including pesticides) and biological metrics (amphibian pathogens).
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Pesticides and Amphibian Pathogens in Natural and Created Wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands

The New Jersey Water Science Center in collaboration with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and Montclair University, conducted a 4 year study to assess the functional equivalency of ponds and stormwater basins in the New Jersey Pinelands by comparing indicators of hydrologic condition, water quality (including pesticides) and biological metrics (amphibian pathogens).
Learn More
link
Scientists collecting smallmouth bass

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Prevalence of Intersex in Fish Populations in New Jersey

NJ WSC and Leetown Science Center scientists in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were tasked with characterizing endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass from New Jersey.
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Prevalence of Intersex in Fish Populations in New Jersey

NJ WSC and Leetown Science Center scientists in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were tasked with characterizing endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass from New Jersey.
Learn More

Organic and inorganic constituents in surface water and native and non-native fish and frog health data collected from streams, impoundments and wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020 (ver. 1.1, August 2022)

The data presented include concentrations of 122 organic, 23 inorganic constituents, and estrogenicity in water collected from 13 off-stream non-point source sites (natural and created wetlands) and eight on-stream point source sites (streams and impoundments) in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020. Native and non-native fish health data collected from the on-stream sites as well as native frog da
By
New England Water Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Potential health effects of contaminant mixtures from point and nonpoint sources on fish and frogs in the New Jersey Pinelands

Aquatic ecosystems convey complex contaminant mixtures from anthropogenic pollution on a global scale. Point (e.g., municipal wastewater) and nonpoint sources (e.g., stormwater runoff) are both drivers of contaminant mixtures in aquatic habitats. The objectives of this study were to identify the contaminant mixtures present in surface waters impacted by both point and nonpoint sources, to determin
Authors
Sara E. Breitmeyer, Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer, John F. Bunnell, Patrick M. Burritt, Jeff Dragon, Michelle Hladik, Paul M. Bradley, Kristin M. Romanok, Kelly L. Smalling
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, California Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

An initial comparison of pesticides and amphibian pathogens between natural and created wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2014–16

A study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and Montclair State University, was designed to compare pesticide concentrations and the presence and prevalence of amphibian pathogens between natural ponds and two types of created wetlands, excavated ponds and stormwater basins, throughout the New Jersey Pinelands. The study described herein
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, John F. Bunnell, Jonathan Cohl, Kristin M. Romanok, Lisa Hazard, Kirsten Monsen, Denise M. Akob, Angela M. Hansen, Michelle L. Hladik, Nicole Abdallah, Quratulain Ahmed, Araba Assan, Matthew D. De Parsia, Amaryl Griggs, Megan McWayne-Holmes, Naisargi Patel, Corey Sanders, Yesha Shrestha, Sean M. Stout, Brianna Williams
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Simulation of groundwater flow and hydrologic effects of groundwater withdrawals from the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey

The Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system is an important source of present and future water supply in southern New Jersey. Because this unconfined aquifer system also supports sensitive wetland and aquatic habitats within the New Jersey Pinelands (Pinelands), water managers and policy makers need up-to-date information, data, and projections that show the effects of potential increases in groundwater
Authors
Emmanuel G. Charles, Robert S. Nicholson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Measurement and simulation of evapotranspiration at a wetland site in the New Jersey Pinelands

Evapotranspiration (ET) was monitored above a wetland forest canopy dominated by pitch-pine in the New Jersey Pinelands during November 10, 2004-February 20, 2007, using an eddy-covariance method. Twelve-month ET totals ranged from 786 to 821 millimeters (mm). Minimum and maximum ET rates occurred during December-February and in July, respectively. Relations between ET and several environmental va
Authors
David M. Sumner, Robert S. Nicholson, Kenneth L. Clark
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Hydrologic assessment of three drainage basins in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey, 2004-06

The New Jersey Pinelands is an ecologically diverse area in the southern New Jersey Coastal Plain, most of which overlies the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system. The demand for groundwater from this aquifer system is increasing as local development increases. Because any increase in groundwater withdrawals has the potential to affect streamflows and wetland water levels, and ultimately threaten the
Authors
Richard L. Walker, Robert S. Nicholson, Donald A. Storck
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Evaluating effects of potential changes in streamflow regime on fish and aquatic-invertebrate assemblages in the New Jersey Pinelands

Changes in water demand associated with population growth and changes in land-use practices in the Pinelands region of southern New Jersey will have a direct effect on stream hydrology. The most pronounced and measurable hydrologic effect is likely to be flow reductions associated with increasing water extraction. Because water-supply needs will continue to grow along with population in the Pinela
Authors
Jonathan Kennen, Melissa L. Riskin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Assessment of physical, chemical, and hydrologic factors affecting the infiltration of treated wastewater in the New Jersey Coastal Plain, with emphasis on the Hammonton Land Application Facility

A hydrogeologic and water-quality investigation of the Hammonton Land Application Facility (Hammonton LAF) in Hammonton, New Jersey, was conducted to determine the factors that impede the infiltration of treated wastewater and to assess the potential for similar conditions to exist elsewhere in the Coastal Plain of New Jersey (particularly within the Pinelands National Reserve). Gamma logs, sedime
Authors
Timothy J. Reilly, Kristin M. Romanok, Steven Tessler, Jeffrey M. Fischer
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Hydrogeologic Framework in Three Drainage Basins in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2004-06

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, began a multi-phase hydrologic investigation in 2004 to characterize the hydrologic system supporting the aquatic and wetland communities of the New Jersey Pinelands area (Pinelands). The Pinelands is an ecologically diverse area in the southern New Jersey Coastal Plain underlain by the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer s
Authors
Richard L. Walker, Pamela A. Reilly, Kara M. Watson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Effects of land application of composted biosolids on ground water and native vegetation in the New Jersey Pinelands

No abstract available.
Authors
Eric Jacobsen

Simulated effects of alternative withdrawal strategies on ground-water-flow patterns, New Jersey Pinelands

A steady-state, three-dimensional ground-water- flow model of the unconfined part of the Kirkwood- Cohasey aquifer system beneath the upper parts of the Rancocas Creek and Wading River Basins in the New Jersey Pinelands was developed to (1) define ground-water-flow patterns and residence times in an aquifer system typical of the New Jersey Coastal Plain and (2) demonstrate the effects of alternati
Authors
Edward Modica
By
New Jersey Water Science Center

Water quality and hydrogeochemical processes in McDonalds Branch basin, New Jersey Pinelands, 1984-88

No abstract available.
Authors
P.A. Johnsson, J. L. Barringer

Hydrogeochemical data from an acidic deposition study at McDonalds Branch basin in the New Jersey Pinelands, 1983-86

Data from a 1983-86 acidic-deposition study at McDonalds Branch basin, a small (2.35-sq-mi) forested watershed in Lebanon State Forest, New Jersey include mineralogy of soil and depositional clays; physical and chemical analyses of soils; hydrologic measurements (precipitation and throughfall amounts, stream stage and discharge, and water-table altitudes); and water quality data from precipitation
Authors
D. G. Lord, J. L. Barringer, P.A. Johnsson, P. F. Schuster, R.L. Walker, J.E. Fairchild, B.N. Sroka, Eric Jacobsen

Below are partners associated with this project.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

New Jersey Pinelands Commission

The New Jersey Pine Barrens, or Pinelands National Reserve (PNR), is a vast and unique ecosystem comprising approximately a 938,000-acre area of southern New Jersey. It spans portions of seven counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean), and  all or part of 56 municipalities. It is home to dozens of rare plant and animal species, and the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system, which contains an estimated 17 trillion gallons of water. 

The New Jersey Water Science Center has had a long tradition of research covering this natural wonder. Studies by staff scientists address a wide range of environmental topics, including Pinelands water quality, hydrology, watershed and landscape assessments, and aquatic and wetland ecology.

Map defining the New Jersey Pinelands
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Map depicting the bounderies of the New Jersey Pinelands Management Areas

USGS NJWSC projects within the Pinelands National Reserve.

link
Two frogs

Emerging Contaminants and their Effects on Fish and Frogs

The endocrine system in animals produce hormones to regulate essential life processes, such as metabolism, tissue function, reproduction, and development. A large group of natural and synthetic chemicals are known to disrupt endocrine function. Examples include plant hormones, plastic components, flame retardants, surfactants, fragrances, pesticides, etc. Endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs...
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Emerging Contaminants and their Effects on Fish and Frogs

The endocrine system in animals produce hormones to regulate essential life processes, such as metabolism, tissue function, reproduction, and development. A large group of natural and synthetic chemicals are known to disrupt endocrine function. Examples include plant hormones, plastic components, flame retardants, surfactants, fragrances, pesticides, etc. Endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs...
Learn More
link
Processing Fish at Echo Lake

Point and Nonpoint Sources of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and the Potential effects on Fish and Frogs in the New Jersey Pinelands

Scientists from the NJ WSC, Leetown Science Center and New Jersey Pinelands Commission recently initiated a 4 year study designed to characterize the point and non-point sources of endocrine disrupting compound (EDCs) and their potential effects on fish and frogs in the NJ Pinelands.
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Point and Nonpoint Sources of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and the Potential effects on Fish and Frogs in the New Jersey Pinelands

Scientists from the NJ WSC, Leetown Science Center and New Jersey Pinelands Commission recently initiated a 4 year study designed to characterize the point and non-point sources of endocrine disrupting compound (EDCs) and their potential effects on fish and frogs in the NJ Pinelands.
Learn More
link
Examining Bullfrog tadpoles

Pesticides and Amphibian Pathogens in Natural and Created Wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands

The New Jersey Water Science Center in collaboration with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and Montclair University, conducted a 4 year study to assess the functional equivalency of ponds and stormwater basins in the New Jersey Pinelands by comparing indicators of hydrologic condition, water quality (including pesticides) and biological metrics (amphibian pathogens).
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Pesticides and Amphibian Pathogens in Natural and Created Wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands

The New Jersey Water Science Center in collaboration with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and Montclair University, conducted a 4 year study to assess the functional equivalency of ponds and stormwater basins in the New Jersey Pinelands by comparing indicators of hydrologic condition, water quality (including pesticides) and biological metrics (amphibian pathogens).
Learn More
link
Scientists collecting smallmouth bass

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Prevalence of Intersex in Fish Populations in New Jersey

NJ WSC and Leetown Science Center scientists in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were tasked with characterizing endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass from New Jersey.
By
New Jersey Water Science Center
link

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Prevalence of Intersex in Fish Populations in New Jersey

NJ WSC and Leetown Science Center scientists in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection were tasked with characterizing endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass from New Jersey.
Learn More

Organic and inorganic constituents in surface water and native and non-native fish and frog health data collected from streams, impoundments and wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020 (ver. 1.1, August 2022)

The data presented include concentrations of 122 organic, 23 inorganic constituents, and estrogenicity in water collected from 13 off-stream non-point source sites (natural and created wetlands) and eight on-stream point source sites (streams and impoundments) in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2017-2020. Native and non-native fish health data collected from the on-stream sites as well as native frog da
By
New England Water Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

Potential health effects of contaminant mixtures from point and nonpoint sources on fish and frogs in the New Jersey Pinelands

Aquatic ecosystems convey complex contaminant mixtures from anthropogenic pollution on a global scale. Point (e.g., municipal wastewater) and nonpoint sources (e.g., stormwater runoff) are both drivers of contaminant mixtures in aquatic habitats. The objectives of this study were to identify the contaminant mixtures present in surface waters impacted by both point and nonpoint sources, to determin
Authors
Sara E. Breitmeyer, Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer, John F. Bunnell, Patrick M. Burritt, Jeff Dragon, Michelle Hladik, Paul M. Bradley, Kristin M. Romanok, Kelly L. Smalling
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, California Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

An initial comparison of pesticides and amphibian pathogens between natural and created wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2014–16

A study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and Montclair State University, was designed to compare pesticide concentrations and the presence and prevalence of amphibian pathogens between natural ponds and two types of created wetlands, excavated ponds and stormwater basins, throughout the New Jersey Pinelands. The study described herein
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, John F. Bunnell, Jonathan Cohl, Kristin M. Romanok, Lisa Hazard, Kirsten Monsen, Denise M. Akob, Angela M. Hansen, Michelle L. Hladik, Nicole Abdallah, Quratulain Ahmed, Araba Assan, Matthew D. De Parsia, Amaryl Griggs, Megan McWayne-Holmes, Naisargi Patel, Corey Sanders, Yesha Shrestha, Sean M. Stout, Brianna Williams
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Simulation of groundwater flow and hydrologic effects of groundwater withdrawals from the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey

The Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system is an important source of present and future water supply in southern New Jersey. Because this unconfined aquifer system also supports sensitive wetland and aquatic habitats within the New Jersey Pinelands (Pinelands), water managers and policy makers need up-to-date information, data, and projections that show the effects of potential increases in groundwater
Authors
Emmanuel G. Charles, Robert S. Nicholson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Measurement and simulation of evapotranspiration at a wetland site in the New Jersey Pinelands

Evapotranspiration (ET) was monitored above a wetland forest canopy dominated by pitch-pine in the New Jersey Pinelands during November 10, 2004-February 20, 2007, using an eddy-covariance method. Twelve-month ET totals ranged from 786 to 821 millimeters (mm). Minimum and maximum ET rates occurred during December-February and in July, respectively. Relations between ET and several environmental va
Authors
David M. Sumner, Robert S. Nicholson, Kenneth L. Clark
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Hydrologic assessment of three drainage basins in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey, 2004-06

The New Jersey Pinelands is an ecologically diverse area in the southern New Jersey Coastal Plain, most of which overlies the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system. The demand for groundwater from this aquifer system is increasing as local development increases. Because any increase in groundwater withdrawals has the potential to affect streamflows and wetland water levels, and ultimately threaten the
Authors
Richard L. Walker, Robert S. Nicholson, Donald A. Storck
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Evaluating effects of potential changes in streamflow regime on fish and aquatic-invertebrate assemblages in the New Jersey Pinelands

Changes in water demand associated with population growth and changes in land-use practices in the Pinelands region of southern New Jersey will have a direct effect on stream hydrology. The most pronounced and measurable hydrologic effect is likely to be flow reductions associated with increasing water extraction. Because water-supply needs will continue to grow along with population in the Pinela
Authors
Jonathan Kennen, Melissa L. Riskin
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Assessment of physical, chemical, and hydrologic factors affecting the infiltration of treated wastewater in the New Jersey Coastal Plain, with emphasis on the Hammonton Land Application Facility

A hydrogeologic and water-quality investigation of the Hammonton Land Application Facility (Hammonton LAF) in Hammonton, New Jersey, was conducted to determine the factors that impede the infiltration of treated wastewater and to assess the potential for similar conditions to exist elsewhere in the Coastal Plain of New Jersey (particularly within the Pinelands National Reserve). Gamma logs, sedime
Authors
Timothy J. Reilly, Kristin M. Romanok, Steven Tessler, Jeffrey M. Fischer
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Hydrogeologic Framework in Three Drainage Basins in the New Jersey Pinelands, 2004-06

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, began a multi-phase hydrologic investigation in 2004 to characterize the hydrologic system supporting the aquatic and wetland communities of the New Jersey Pinelands area (Pinelands). The Pinelands is an ecologically diverse area in the southern New Jersey Coastal Plain underlain by the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer s
Authors
Richard L. Walker, Pamela A. Reilly, Kara M. Watson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New Jersey Water Science Center

Effects of land application of composted biosolids on ground water and native vegetation in the New Jersey Pinelands

No abstract available.
Authors
Eric Jacobsen

Simulated effects of alternative withdrawal strategies on ground-water-flow patterns, New Jersey Pinelands

A steady-state, three-dimensional ground-water- flow model of the unconfined part of the Kirkwood- Cohasey aquifer system beneath the upper parts of the Rancocas Creek and Wading River Basins in the New Jersey Pinelands was developed to (1) define ground-water-flow patterns and residence times in an aquifer system typical of the New Jersey Coastal Plain and (2) demonstrate the effects of alternati
Authors
Edward Modica
By
New Jersey Water Science Center

Water quality and hydrogeochemical processes in McDonalds Branch basin, New Jersey Pinelands, 1984-88

No abstract available.
Authors
P.A. Johnsson, J. L. Barringer

Hydrogeochemical data from an acidic deposition study at McDonalds Branch basin in the New Jersey Pinelands, 1983-86

Data from a 1983-86 acidic-deposition study at McDonalds Branch basin, a small (2.35-sq-mi) forested watershed in Lebanon State Forest, New Jersey include mineralogy of soil and depositional clays; physical and chemical analyses of soils; hydrologic measurements (precipitation and throughfall amounts, stream stage and discharge, and water-table altitudes); and water quality data from precipitation
Authors
D. G. Lord, J. L. Barringer, P.A. Johnsson, P. F. Schuster, R.L. Walker, J.E. Fairchild, B.N. Sroka, Eric Jacobsen

Below are partners associated with this project.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

New Jersey Pinelands Commission