New Jersey State Land Use

New Jersey State Land Use

Jennifer Domareki
ENVL 4305 Lab 3 Report
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

New Jersey State Land Use

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES

RESULTS

LAND USE CHANGES IN MORRIS COUNTY

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1.2
TABLE 1
CHANGES IN LAND USE BY COUNTY
TABLE 2
LAND USE CHANGE IN LONG VALLEY
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3.1
FIGURE 3.2

4
4
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7

DISCUSSION

LAND USE CHANGES IN MORRIS COUNTY

CHANGES IN LAND USE BY COUNTY

LAND USE CHANGE IN LONG VALLEY

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

11

APPENDIX; 2
APPENDIX; 3

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New Jersey State Land Use

ABSTRACT
As population growth in New Jersey increases, there have been significant changes to the
landscape and land use throughout the state. Specifically, urban growth and development
is a consistent trend in New Jersey on state, county and local levels. Thousands of acres
are being lost each year as land is converted into urban development. Agriculture, forested
land and wetlands are the land use types that are experiencing the greatest deficit. Land use
monitoring is significant to understanding land conservation and human behavior.
Monitoring can be done by digital orthoquad data and using ArcMap polygons to
demonstrate the significant changes throughout the years. The overall trend in this report
analyzes land for Long Valley, Morris County and New Jersey. The various methods of
land monitoring data concludes that there was an increase in land use for urban
development and a decrease in forested and agricultural land over a fifteen year period.
INTRODUCTION
New Jersey has become one of the most densely populated states that continues to grow
and require land for development. By monitoring past and present land use, a statewide
comprehensive plan can be put into action to make decisions that will best suit the needs
of citizens while sustaining natural resources, energy and environmental quality. The rapid
change in land use in New Jersey can be demonstrated simply by analyzing the last twenty
years of land use data and maps. It is estimated that nearly 16,000-18,000 acres of open
space land is lost per day due to development, agriculture and wildlife conservation. (Race
for Open Space). The surveillance of land use allows for the protection and balance of
environmental standards and human needs. The Division of Land Use Regulation for New
Jersey is responsible for ensuring that land use does not harm nor exploit the environment
in order to meet citizens demands for land (NJDEP, 2015). Furthermore, monitoring land
use is also imperative to ensuring that development and land change is in compliance with
the Protection and Preservation Areas of the Pinelands Protection Act. In south Jersey,
there are 7 counties (approximately 1.1 million acres) of land that is protected or preserved,
which calls for stricter management of forested, agricultural, regional and rural growth
areas (NJCMP, 2007). These changes in land use can also represent the rate of population
growth and human behavior in New Jersey. Past land use trends can be used as a prediction
for future trends as population growth continues to rise.
OBECTIVES
This report examines the different land use types on a state, county and local level. First,
Morris County land use is analyzed using water management areas in ArcGIS 10.2.2. The
program displays change in land use from 1995 to 2007 for agriculture, urban and forested
land. Next, statistical data provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection examines land use for all 21 counties in New Jersey. This data is also used to
display comprehensive land use data for the state as a whole entity. Finally, digital
orthoquads, from NJGIN, project land use of agriculture, urban and forested land for Long
Valley, New Jersey. Together, this data was used to compare land use from years 1995 to
2014.
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New Jersey State Land Use

New Jersey State Land Use

RESULTS
1. Land Use Changes in Morris County
The data in this section is watershed management areas from NJDEP Geographic
Information Systems in polygon shapefiles. The watershed management areas for Morris
County include; Upper Delaware (WMA 1), Pompton, Pequannock, Wanaque, Ramapo
(WMA 3), Upper and Mid Passaic, Whippany, Rockaway (WMA 6), and North and South
Branch Raritan (WMA 8). Morris County is 308,122 acres. (NJDEP WMA, 2014).
Figure 1 and Figure 1.2 map the land changes. Although the change is significant, it is
difficult to see represented as a map. Table 1 also displays Morris County land use, but the
deficit and growth is more apparent.
The total land use change in acres for agriculture, urban and forest land from 1995 to
2007 can be found in Table 1 below.
Table 1
AGRICULTURE
URBAN
FOREST

Land Use Changes in Morris County

1995
2007
NET CHANGE
14,831.84
12,733.36
-2,098.48
108,653.64
119,136.65
+10,483.01
126,231.65
119,507.65
-6,724

The following maps are representative of the total land use change for agriculture, urban
and forest land from 1995 to 2007.
Figure 1

Figure 1.2

New Jersey State Land Use

2. Change in Land Use by County

Table 2 displays the land use/ land cover for 2002-2007 from the NJDEP as of July,
2010 (NJDEP 2010). The data represents the net change in acres of land use for each county
during the five year time period. In Appendix; 2, each land use type is broken down by
county and represented in maps 2-2.6
Table 2. Land Use Change by County

COUNTY
Agriculture Barren Land Forest
Urban Land Water Wetlands
ATLANTIC
-583.00
-1147.00 -4276.00
5514.00 1056.00 -571.00
BERGEN
-82.00
419.00 -1591.00
1418.00
53.00 -214.00
BURLINGTON
-2989.00
455.00 -3006.00
7066.00 535.00 -1151.00
CAMDEN
-697.00
-1.00 -2080.00
2869.00 156.00 -249.00
CAPE MAY
-652.00
-411.00 -1091.00
1755.00 579.00 -135.00
CUMBERLAND -1234.00
315.00 -1873.00
2626.00 242.00 -77.00
ESSEX
-17.00
-107.00 -670.00
836.00 67.00 -110.00
GLOUCESTER
-6129.00
673.00 -2109.00
7652.00 606.00 -692.00
HUDSON
0.00
62.00 -469.00
450.00 52.00 -94.00
HUNTERDON
-2253.00
-477.00 -1835.00
4799.00 88.00 -320.00
MERCER
-2215.00
-427.00 -479.00
3460.00 16.00 -356.00
MIDDLESEX
-2418.00
-259.00 -1984.00
5644.00 123.00 -1105.00
MONMOUTH
-2909.00 -2224.00 -3215.00
8769.00 797.00 -1216.00
MORRIS
-612.00
-528.00 -3434.00
4649.00 13.00 -349.00
OCEAN
-493.00 -1228.00 -7077.00
7835.00 1511.00 -549.00
PASSAIC
-1.00
-152.00 -792.00
954.00 71.00 -84.00
SALEM
-1062.00
-237.00 -301.00
1633.00 489.00 -522.00
SOMERSET
-1715.00
-788.00 -1559.00
4539.00 91.00 -569.00
SUSSEX
-1308.00
-211.00 -2913.00
4370.00 452.00 -390.00
UNION
-14.00
-33.00 -234.00
295.00 13.00 -29.00
WARREN
-1164.00
-574.00 -1451.00
3151.00 271.00 -141.00

Net Change

Agriculture BarrenLand Forest

UrbanLand Water Wetlands
-28547.00
-6880.00 -35427.00
80284.00 7281.00 -8923.00
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New Jersey State Land Use

3. Use Change in Long Valley, New Jersey
Land use change in Long Valley, New Jersey can be analyzed using the digital
orthoquads. Maps 3-3.3 give the best representation of how land has changed from 1995
to 2007. These maps survey the same area but analyzes three different land use types; urban
land, agriculture and forest. In appendix 3, this map is broken down into individual quads
and then categorized by year. Land use change is difficult to decipher in the individual
quads, which is why the whole map is displayed in the results section of this report.
However, the individual quads are still of value to give a comparison of the same land over
a 19 (1995-2014) year span.
The digital orthoquads of interest were F6B10, F6B11, F6B14 and F6B15. These
orthoquads were selected because they were the most diverse representation of the three
main land use changes of interest. This location is both agriculture and urban development
(commercial and residential) and is surrounded by forested area.
The following maps and table focus on the land use changes in Long Valley, NJ
from 1995 to 2007.
Figure 3

New Jersey State Land Use

Figure 3.1

Figure 3.2

New Jersey State Land Use

DISCUSSION
1. Land Use Changes in Morris County
Table 1 represents the land use in acres for 1995 and 2007. These numbers were
very close (within 500 acres) to the statistical data from the NJDEP for Morris County. All
data demonstrates a trend among the three types of land use where urban land has increased,
while forested and agricultural land has decreased significantly in during the five year
period.
2. Change in Land Use by County
Table 2 displays data for the land use change for all 21 counties in New Jersey.
Land use is represented in acres for agriculture, barren land, forest, urban land, water and
wetlands. At the bottom of the table, the net change for each of these land use types is
calculated to generate an estimate of total land use change for the state of New Jersey form
2002-2007.
Overall, agriculture, barren land, forested land and wetlands experienced 79,777
acre deficit, while urban land grew approximately 80,284 acres. These numbers simply
state that urban sprawl is continuing to dominate the New Jersey landscape. Counties
that once provided fields of lush crops, forested hiking trails and wetlands habitats are
being substituted for commercial super saving stores and residential developments. In Cape
May, there is only 100 acres of unused land left. Developers are pushing proposals to
consume the last open land in Cape May for more urban development.
What does this mean for the Pinelands? The Pinelands National Reserve stretches
throughout 1.1 million acres in seven counties; Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May,
Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean. According the New Jersey Pineland Commission, the
Pine lands reserve is, the largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard between
Richmond and Boston. (NJPC 2007). It is important for the biodiversity of the rare species
in the Pinelands that this land remains untarnished by urban development. Table 2.1 details
the net change in acres for the counties encompassed in the Pinelands. Any significant land
changes in this ecosystem will lead to land degradation, loss of biodiversity and water
pollution.
3. Land Use Change in Long Valley, New Jersey
In map 3, urban development expands outward (represented in blue) over 12 years
(1995-2007). The map shows how urban development is transitioning from fragmented
residential developments and commercial centers, to a continuous mass. This expansion of
urban development removes native plants and disturbs the land as it encroaches on natural
habitat with an increase of impervious surfaces which leads to surface runoff and water
contamination. If growth and expansion continues at the same rate, it will be very likely
for land use to change to be completely urban development.
Next, Maps 3.1 and 3.2 can be analyzed at the same time. These maps demonstrate
the land loss for agriculture and forested land. As urban development expands, surrounding
land (agriculture and forested land) is converted into parking lots, buildings and new
residential developments. This land loss is not only detrimental to the habitats and crops,
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New Jersey State Land Use

but it also causes significant fragmentation. Forest fragmentation is most severe as it can
be seen (indicated in blue) that forested areas are thinning out and becoming more separated
from each other. This creates a significant problem for the wildlife in Long Valley. As
forest fragmentation causes an increase in wildlife coming in closer contact with humans.
This is because the habitats of these animals are being destroyed and they have no choice
but to travel, through urban development, to try to reach their fragmented habitats.
The results in land use change for Long Valley in section 3 is consistent with the
results in section 2 for land use change by county. Morris County and Long Valley are
demonstrating an overall trend of increase in urban land while seeing a decrease in forest
and agricultural land. Farm lands and wildlife habitat are being consumed by urban
development and a rapidly increasing rate. As noted in the documentary Race for Open
Space, farm land is losing approximately 2 acres per minute to development. Farmers are
having difficulty keeping their land because there has been an increase in pressure from
developers to sell their (Race for Open Space, 2003).
CONCLUSION
Land use can be analyzed in a variety of ways and is key in understanding the landscape
of New Jersey. Overall, there is a noticeable trend of urban expansion while other land use
types continue to decrease during the past twenty years. It is important to monitor these
significant changes as a way of preventing an environmental catastrophe. Relevant and
accurate data are useful resources for noticing and predicting trends in land use and human
activity. New Jersey has a unique landscape including forests, wetlands, agriculture and
bountiful natural resources. These different land use types need to coexist together to
maintain a balance of environmental quality and human use.
REFERENCES
Race for Open Space [Documentary]. (2003). NJN Public Television
New Jersey Pinelands Commission. (2007). The Pinelands National Reserve.
New Jersey Pineland Commission. (2007). Land Use and Technology Programs.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (December 24, 2014). Land Use/
Land Cover by Watershed Management Area (WMA).
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2015, February 9 ). Division of
Land Use Regulation.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2010, July 19). NJDEP Land Use/
Land Cover Level I Data Analysis, 2002-2007.

NJGIN. (2015). Information Warehouse.

https://njgin.state.nj.us/NJ_NJGINExplorer/IW.jsp
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New Jersey State Land Use

APPENDIX
Appendix; 2.
Map representation of land us change by county in New Jersey
Figure 2

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.4

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New Jersey State Land Use

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

Table 2.2 Land Use Change in Pine Barrens

COUNTY
Agriculture BarrenLand
ATLANTIC
-583.00
-1147.00
BURLINGTON
-2989.00
455.00
CAMDEN
-697.00
-1.00
CAPE MAY
-652.00
-411.00
CUMBERLAND -1234.00
315.00
GLOUCESTER
-6129.00
673.00
OCEAN
-493.00 -1228.00
NET CHANGE

-12777.00

Forest
UrbanLand Water Wetlands
-4276.00
5514.00 1056.00 -571.00

-3006.00
-2080.00
-1091.00
-1873.00
-2109.00
-7077.00

-1344.00 -21512.00

7066.00
2869.00
1755.00
2626.00
7652.00
7835.00

535.00
156.00
579.00
242.00
606.00
1511.00

-1151.00
-249.00
-135.00
-77.00
-692.00
-549.00

35317.00 4685.00 -3424.00

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New Jersey State Land Use

Appendix; 3.
Digital Orthoquads of Long Valley, New Jersey comparing four different quads through
years 1995-2012.

Figure 2.6
3.4

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New Jersey State Land Use

Figure 3.5

14

New Jersey State Land Use

Figure 3.6

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Figure 3.7
New Jersey State Land Use

16