FREE ESSAY ON PRESERVATION OF THE PINE BARRENS

PRESERVATION OF THE PINE BARRENS

There is much preservation throughout this country. One that is most famous to New Jersey
is the Pine Barrens. I don't believe this bio diverse ecosystem should be developed on.
This precious preservation should be saved. In these following paragraphs the author will
discuss the animals involved, the plants, major parts, and the dangers facing it today.
The Pine Barrens is one of the world's unique nature areas. It is designated as a
biosphere reserve by the United Nations, and a last great place by the Nature
Conservancy. It covers Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester,
and Ocean counties. This is definitely a place worth saving.
First, in this paragraph the author would like to discuss the animals of the Pine
Barrens, and where they live. The habitats of the animals consist of forests, lakes, and
the wet lands. The majority of forest is dry and full of pine trees. Most of the animals
live in this habitat. The next most populated area is the lake, which can be man made or
naturally made. This is where the fish, the chain pickerel, the animals that seek refuge
such as the carpenter frog, or the animals that prey on them, the Northern Water Snake
live. The wet lands are grassy areas near lakes and tributaries of the lakes like rivers
and streams. Many small fish, small water reptiles, paint turtles , snakes, and
amphibians live here.
There are many endangered animals in New Jersey, and most of them live in the Pinelands.
The reason most of them are endangered is because they are losing their natural habitat.
Many animals are being reintroduced to our state. For instance the black bear, which was
once endangered is now plentiful and populates much of North Jersey. Another animal being
reintroduced is the coyote, which is now thriving in the Garden State . The Barred Owl,
which is endangered altogether, lives here in small numbers. The pine snake is a vicious
terrestrial snake that can also be arboreal. 
Plants are abundant throughout the Pine Barrens. The pine tree is the most typical,
especially the pitcher pine. This is a pygmy pine tree only about ten feet. Other trees
consist of pin oaks and cedar. Cedar trees and their roots are what make the water a
brownish red color. One of the most popular plants is also their main crop. This plant is
the blueberry and cranberry bushes. The Pinelands also have rare plants. The pitcher
plant, for one is related to the Venus Fly Trap. This amazing plant traps flies by
attracting them with a liquid which is like pollen located at the bottom of the pitcher.
The wetlands are an amazing part of the pinelands. They prevent pollution from entering
the lakes as well as preventing floods. This is a major part of the safety of the Pine
Barrens. This is where the endangered Pine Barrens tree frog lives. On a clear night you
can hear these frogs a mile away. They hang out on reeds and trees near the water. This
forest is home to many other animals. For instance, there are cranes, water snake,
turtles, salamanders, small pickerel and bass, and other frogs like spring peepers. The
water snakes are usually mistaken for poisonous water moccasins, which do not live in New
Jersey. Wetlands are usually near lake edges, stream edges, or bogs and swamps.
There are many dangers facing the Pine Barrens today. The most dangerous is
industrialization. Industry pollutes the water land,and air. This greatly impacts the
delicate ecosystem of the Pinelands and the animals that live there. This also leads way
for more development of housing units. There is already limited forest, we do not need
more housing on this precious land. Sure it may look pretty to the buyers, but do they
know what's really being done. Only 295,000 acres of 1.1 million are in protection. This
ecosystem is too important to waste. 
Another problem that faces the pinelands is forest fires. There are as many as four
hundred forest fires per year. An astonishing twenty four of them are serious, which
means they destroy over four hundred acres. Most of these fires are caused by human
mistakes. Just last year there was Air Force test mission. Planes were dropping dud bombs
and one sparked causing a major fire. It destroyed several acres. There are other causes
by humans such as throwing cigarette butts out the window on a hot, dry day. How can we
display such blasphemy to a beautiful ecosystem like this?
There are ways we can help. We could make more state and recreational parks, which
promote nature with safety towards the animals. These parks also make money for
additional precautions. There are many parks here today like Batsto, Bass River, and
Atsion. This is one way to protect the use of land. As long as we show respect for the
Pine Barrens this will work. It will take an awareness on everyone's part to preserve
this incredible resource known as the Pine Barrens.
There are many serious aspects to the Pine Barrens, but there are also many interesting
facts. There are many historic sites like Batsto. This was an iron and glass village.
They made cannon balls during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Many historic churches
are still there such as the Pleasant Mills Church, circa 1808. There is also folklore
about a devil child. He is called the Jersey Devil. This devil is a winged beast with a
horse like body and hooves. He was the thirteenth child of Mrs. Leeds. When he was born
she wished it to be the Devil. This legend is told around campfires and continues to be
part of the folklore of New Jersey.
I think the Pine Barrens should be better protected. Other than other small sections in
the south these pinelands are all we have. There is not a place with such bio diversity,
and such beautiful landscape as this. This is a last great place and deserves to be
saved. I go there every year, and I would like to go for many years to come. I also would
like other people to experience the joy of the pinelands the way I see it. I don't want
people to see a trashed and polluted area that looks like a city forest. 
Bibliography
The Pine Lands. 987.2 pyl
www.nj.com
www.pineypower.com
www.pinelands.com