Land Use Change in Atlantic County

BY: Connery Luk and Dalton Scheeler

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (ENVL 4300)

SPRING 2020

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND GEOLOGY PROGRAM
Instructor: Dr. Tait Chirenje
  
Abstract

Our primary focus in this study was to point out specific changes in land use for Atlantic
County and Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey between the years 1986 and 2015. We analyzed
land use and cover changes by utilizing ArcMap symbology, Excel tables and charts, and digital
orthoquad images. Our analysis showed that there was an increase in urban land use at the
expense of forested areas at both the county and the municipality level. In Atlantic County,
there was an overall 8% net decrease in forested areas, while there was an overall 33% net
increase in urban areas. Our analysis shows that the greatest land use and cover changes took
place between 1995 and 2007. Egg Harbor Township is designated as a Regional Growth Area
by the Pinelands Comprehensive Plane. Because of this, there was a 76.5% population increase
that occured in Egg Harbor Township from 1990 to 2010.

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Table of Contents

Abstract​ 1

Table of Contents​ 2

Introduction & Objectives​ 3

Methods​ 4

Results & Discussions​ 6

Conclusion​ 16

References​ 17

Appendices​ 19

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Introduction & Objectives

Urban land in the United States increases at an estimated one million acres each year
(Merrill & Leatherby, 2018). Land use must be utilized as efficiently as possible to account for
continuous urbanization and population growth. This is especially true for New Jersey because
it has the highest population density of all the states, due to it being the 11th most populous
state, but also the fourth smallest by area. With an increase in urbanization, something else
must be making way for it to take its place. If forested areas were giving way to urbanization,
then there are both geologic and health implications, such as soil erosion, flooding, and air
quality (Hasse & Lathrop, 2001, p. 11).

The Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan establishes nine different

management areas, each with unique goals and objectives. The management areas are:
Preservation Area District, Special Agricultural Production Area, Forest Area, Agricultural
Production Area, Rural Development Area, Military and Federal Installation Area, Pinelands
Villages, Pinelands Towns, and Regional Growth Areas (Pinelands Commission, 2015). For this
lab we used the Anderson classification, which classifies land use and cover into six different
groups, each with a classification code that consists of subcodes which allow for more detailed
land interpretation. The codes and associated land use and covers are: 1000’s = Urban Land
(residential, commercial and services, etc.), 2000’s = Agriculture (cropland and pastureland,
horticultural areas, etc.), 4000’s = Forest (deciduous, coniferous, etc.), 5000’s = Water (river
channel, lake or pond, etc.), 6000’s = Wetlands (coastal wetlands, interior wetlands, etc.),
7000’s = Barren Land (beaches, extraction mining, etc.). This classification allowed us detailed
and specific analysis of both urban and forested areas of New Jersey.

In this report, our objectives were to analyze urban growth at the expense of forested
areas in Atlantic County, which was then narrowed down residential growth due to
deforestation in Egg Harbor Township. We did this using ArcMap to visualize land use and cover
over the past several decades via maps/charts, Excel graphs and tables to provide available
figures, as well as digital orthoquad images which provides an insightful aerial view of the
changes that have taken place over time.

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Methods

We searched and downloaded, from the NJDEP Bureau of GIS, shapefiles of New
Jersey’s land use and land cover from the years: 1986, 1995, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2015 to
begin our analysis of land use and land cover changes (NJDEP, DIT). After downloading,
extracting, and transferring the shapefiles into ArcMap, we clipped the data to show only
Atlantic County, our primary focus. To indicate each land use type more clearly, the types were
categorized as green for forest; red for urban; blue for water; grey for barren land; yellow for
agriculture; and light blue for wetland. We also found it to be helpful to project each
municipality to acknowledge where specific changes were happening, e.g. Egg Harbor
Township.

In understanding the changes in forest land use in Atlantic County we selected forest
land use type attributes exclusively from each Atlantic County land use year shapefile and
exported each year into its own shapefile. In a separate data frame, we projected each
shapefile year to look at where and when any of these changes might have occured. We then
wanted to do the same process for urban land use in each year as well so that we could possibly
see changes in the same area that would result in the replacement of forested areas.

Our next goal was to further narrow down to where exactly these changes in forest and
urban land during these years. We wanted to see where land use was lost, gained, or stayed the
same between 1986 and 2015. To see areas in which forest land use had not changed, we
clipped forest land use in 1986 from that of 2015 to single out where the two layers of dates
overlapped. For areas where forest land use was lost, we set the forested areas of no change as
the top layer and then placed the forest land use of 1986 below. We then used an analysis tool,
Erase, that had removed any 1986 forested areas that were under the forested areas of no
change to show forest land use that was lost. In finding forested areas gained, we completed
the same procedure except that instead of using forested land use for 1986 we used 2015. The
same process was also done to show where urban areas were lost, gained, or stayed the same
but used the urban data instead.

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 We then wanted to see where urban land use was gained where forest land use was
lost. In a similar way to when we were looking for areas where there had been no changes, the
shapefile of urban areas gained was clipped with forested areas lost to show areas where urban
land had replaced forested land. That same shapefile was then clipped with a polygon of Egg
Harbor Township to further analyze the data strictly in Egg Harbor Township. We selected
which of those areas were residential, land use codes 1100 to 1199, and exported it into its
own shapefile to show residential areas gained where forested areas were lost in Egg Harbor
Township.

After downloading land use and land cover data from the NJDEP’s Bureau of GIS, we
clipped NJ land use and land cover change data into Atlantic County and Egg Harbor Township.
We exported data from the Attribute Table to Excel for analysis. We utilized ArcToolBox's
Conversion Tools to export the data. Once exported, pivot tables were created to narrow down
and analyze pertinent data. The data were then manipulated into table format to be more
visually appealing. The table formatted data were made into charts in Excel, by only selecting
the forested and urban areas, or specific residential areas. We then sum up all of the residential
areas and then subtract from the total urban areas by each individual year.

Digital orthoquad images of a section of Egg Harbor Township were downloaded from
the New Jersey Geographic Information Network (NJGIN) website. We selected several tiles
from both 1995 and the 2015 MG4, and then proceeded to download and extract them as
MrSid files. ArcMap was then used to visually analyze and clip the images.

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Results & Discussion

Figure 1 shows Atlantic County having a wide variety of land uses and covers. Most of
the agricultural areas appear in the northern and northeastern parts of New Jersey. It also
shows that urban growth took place in the northern, eastern, western, and south western
sections of Atlantic County, mainly in Hammonton, Galloway, and Egg Harbor Township. This
urban growth seems to replace agriculture and forested areas, which is represented in Table 1.

Figure 1. Atlantic County Land Use and Cover in 1986 and 2015

Figure 1: Land
use and land
cover changes in
Atlantic County
from 1986 (top)
to 2015 (bottom).

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 Between 1986 to 2015, Atlantic County lost 2,403 acres of agricultural areas, which is
about a net 9% loss, and 11,799 acres of forested areas, which is about a net 8% loss; all while
there was a 17, 071 acre increase in urban areas, which is a 33% net increase. Our results align
with the USDA’s findings, as well as a study conducted by Rutgers University, in that forested
lands were being converted to urban/developed land (Crocker, 2017, p. 26)(Hasse & Lanthrop,
2001, p. 10). While not the main focal point of this report, we also see an overall net decrease
in barren land, which probably became urban land; which is more welcomed than deforestation
due to urbanization, since it utilizes land not being efficiently used.

Table 1.​ ​Atlantic County Land Use and Cover Changes from 1986 - 2015

Table 1: Land use and cover changes, in acres, in Atlantic County from 1986 to 2015

It is beyond the scope of this report, but the gross changes in water is quite interesting.
It might be due to when the data was taken, potentially before or after a storm, or a mix-up
between wetlands and water.

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 The USDA’s findings also correlate to our Figure 2, which shows there was more
decreases in gross change as compared to increases in gross change, resulting in an overall net
loss in forested areas (Crocker, 2017, p. 28). While we do see small patches of gross gain in
forested areas, it is almost overshadowed by the losses. It is interesting to see municipalities
like Estell Manor and Weymouth Township, which over the course of almost three decades,
have lost very little forested areas, and might have seen a net increase of forested areas. The
Weymouth Township Conservation Plan discusses the start-up of a forestry management plan,
assuming that this is township-wide and has already taken place at the time of writing this
report, it would explain why so much of their forested land still exists (Conservation Plan, n.d.).

Figure 2. Changes in Atlantic County Forested Areas from 1986 - 2015

Figure 2: Graphical representation of forested areas changes (lost, gained, or no changes) In Atlantic County from
1986 to 2015.

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 Our Figure 3 shows overall urban area changes, with most of the urban growth having
occurred in Egg Harbor Township, with some growth in Hammonton, Hamilton, and Galloway
Townships.

Figure 3. Changes in Atlantic County Urban Areas from 1986 - 2015

Figure 3: Graphical representation of urban area changes (lost, gained, or no changes) in Atlantic County from 1986
to 2015.

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 Figure 4 shows us the crux of our objective regarding Atlantic County — urban growth at
the expense of forested areas. The figure shows that all municipalities deforested at least some
of their land to make way for urban growth. We saw in Figure 3 that Hammonton experienced
urban growth, but we see now that much of that growth was not from forested areas, unlike
Hamilton, Egg Harbor Township, and Galloway. Like Egg Harbor Township, Galloway zoning
promotes urbanization, specifically residential growth, as per the township’s land management
Dixon Associates, 2008).

Figure 4. Urban Growth Due to Deforestation in Atlantic County from 1986 - 2015

Figure 4: Graphical representation of urban areas gained due to forested areas lost in Atlantic County from 1986 to
2015.

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 While not necessarily showing cause-and-effect, Figure 5 shows a comparison between
urban growth and forested areas lost, in acres. It also highlights when the major development
and deforestation happened - between 1995 to 2007. However, after 2007 urban growth seems
to have stopped dramatically, either due to lack of forested areas that can be converted (very
unlikely), or that people are moving to the specific regional growth areas, and the areas are
being used efficiently. The Atlantic County’s Master Plan points out that the Great Recession
began in 2007, and could be the cause of the decline in urbanization due to Atlantic County’s
inability to bounce back from the financial hit (Heyer & Associates, & Michael Baker
International, 2018, pg. 23).

Figure 5.​ ​Changes in Urban and Forested Areas in Atlantic County from 1986 - 2015

Figure 5: Graphical representation of urban areas gain and forested areas lost, in acres, in Atlantic County from
1986 to 2015.

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 Figures 6 and 7, as well as Table 2 show us the other crux to our objectives, which is
urbanization, specifically residential and urban growth, due to deforestation in Egg Harbor
Township. We see in Figure 6 that about half of the urban land developed was residential land,
with Table 2 proving that to be the case with available figures. The U.S. Census reports show
that some of the most populous municipalities in Atlantic County include, but are not limited
to: Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, and Hamilton Township; some of
these municipalities were even the most populous municipality depending on the census i.e.
Egg Harbor Township was the most populous during the 2010 census (U.S. Census Bureau,
2012, p. 10).

Figure 6. Urban and Residential Growth Due to Deforestation in Egg Harbor Township from
1986 - 2015

Figure 6: Graphical representation of urban and residential areas gained due to forested areas lost in Egg Harbor
Township from 1986 to 2015.

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 The Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan designated Egg Harbor Township as a
Pinelands Regional Growth area as a way to provide housing for many Atlantic City employees
(Polistina & Associates, & Rutala Associates, 2017, p. 5). Because of this, Egg Harbor Township
had the highest population growth of all New Jersey municipalities between 1990-2010 at
76.5% (Heyer, Gruel & Michael Baker International, 2018, p. 12). Simply put, people and homes
are a two-for-one package, it’s about as exciting as finding a two-headed fish at Walmart — two
fish, one rod, or finding those last fries at the bottom of a McDonald’s bag. We see this need for
housing in both Table 2 and Figure 7.

Table 2. Changes in Forested, Residential, and Urban Areas in Egg Harbor Township from 1986
- 2015

Table 2: Forested, residential, and urban area changes, in acres, in Egg Harbor Township from 1995 to 2015.

It should be noted that both Table 2’s and Figure 7’s analysis begins in 1995, rather than
1986. This is because the 1986 data did not differentiate between the different types of
residential growth, but just simply labeled it as “residential” as an umbrella term.

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 We see in Table 2 and Figure 7 that in 1995 to 2002 residential growth (1,261 acres) was
approximately half of the total urban growth (1,274 acres). While from 2002 to 2007 and 2007
to 2012 residential growth was 72% and 64% of total urban growth, respectively! We see that,
bar none, medium density houses are the most popular/area consuming, this is most likely
because medium density houses provide enough space for a family, as well as that sense of
land ownership i.e. the American Dream — a nice lush, green lawn with the occasional tree or
two. But seriously, the net increase of medium houses was 71% of the total of all residential
development from 1995 to 2015! Alternatively, medium houses were 40% of all urban
development from 1995 to 2015!

Figure 7. Changes in Forested, Residential, and Urban Areas in Egg Harbor Township from
1986 - 2015

Figure 7: Graphical representation of urban and residential areas gained and forested areas lost, in acres, in Egg
Harbor Township from 1995 to 2015.

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 Figure 8 shows a side-by-side comparison of a section of Egg Harbor Township, with the
road cutting across the middle as the Black Horse Pike. This area was chosen because of the
apparent urbanization that took place in Egg Harbor township. All along the Black Horse Pike
are commercial buildings, which include but not limited to: Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wendy’s,
Burger King, and Chick-Fil-A (that is some serious competition), while the streets branching off
of the Black Horse Pike mainly consists of residential neighborhoods.

Figure 8. Aerial View of a Section of Egg Harbor Township 1995 and 2015

Figure 8: Digital orthoquad images of a section of Egg Harbor Township off the Black Horse Pike from 1995 (left)
and 2015 (right).

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Conclusion

The objectives of this study was to see specific land use and cover changes for both
Atlantic County and Egg Harbor Township, specifically for forested areas and urban land.
Through our study, we found that there had been significant land use changes in Atlantic
County’s forested and urban areas, as well as Egg Harbor Township. Our findings suggest that
urban growth came at the cost of forested land. We also found that a majority of this change
occurred between 1995 and 2007. A majority of the urban growth in Egg Harbor Township was
from the construction of new residential areas especially during times of high population
growth.

Eventually, both Atlantic County and Egg Harbor Township will stop growing or grow at
a much slower rate, as our findings suggest. While most likely not feasible county-wide,
township-wide municipalities like Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, and Hamilton could adopt a
forest management plan stressing both the need for urbanization, but also the conservation of
forested areas. To help preserve the forested areas within Egg Harbor Township and support
the high population growth, the township should adapt to have more smart growth
urbanization habits. These beneficial changes towards efficient growth would include mixing
urban land uses, walkable neighborhoods, and compact building usages (Smart Growth
Principles, n.d.).

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References

Crocker, Susan J. “Forests of New Jersey, 2013.” 2017, doi:10.2737/fs-ru-28.

Conservation Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.weymouthnj.org/pdfs/Planning_ConservationPlan_v2.pdf

Dixon Associates. (2008, February) “Township of Galloway Zoning Areas & Boundaries Atlantic

County, NJ.” Retrieved from

https://ecode360.com/attachment/GA0362/GA0362-233e%20Zoning%20Map.pdf

Hasse, J., & Lathrop, R. (2001). Measuring Urban Growth in NEW JERSEY A Report on Recent

Land Development Patterns Utilizing the 1986 – 1995 NJ DEP Land Use/Land Cover
Dataset. ​Center for Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis.​ Retrieved from
https://envl4300.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/5/4/95542854/lulc-nj_urban_growth86-95.p
df

Heyer, Gruel & Associates , & Michael Baker International . (2018, May). Atlantic county, New

Jersey

Master Plan. Retrieved from​ ​https://www.atlantic-county.org/documents/planning/Master

Plan_5-1-18.pdf

Merrill, D., & Leatherby, L. (2018, July 31). Here’s How America Uses Its Land. Retrieved from

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-us-land-use/

NJDEP, DIT, Bureau of GIS (2019). NJDEP Open Data.

NJGIN. Information Warehouse ​https://njgin.state.nj.us/OGIS_IW/

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Polistina & Associates , & Rutala Associates . (2017, August). 2017 Land Use Element .

Retrieved from https://www.ehtgov.org/Land Use/2017 Master Plan Land Use Element

Amendment.pdf

Smart Growth Principles. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2020, from

https://smartgrowth.org/smart-growth-principles/

U.S. Census Bureau. (2012, August). Population and Housing Unit Counts - Census. Retrieved

from ​https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-32.pdf

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Appendices

Appendix 1. Atlantic County Forested Areas in 1986 and 2015

Appendix 1: Changes in forested areas in Atlantic County (top) and Egg Harbor Township (bottom) from 1986 (left)
to 2015 (right).

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Appendix 2. Atlantic County Urban Areas in 1986 and 2015

Appendix 2: Changes in urban areas in Atlantic County (top) and Egg Harbor Township (bottom) from 1986 (left) to
2015 (right).

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