Understanding an ecological treasure: the Pine Barrens of New Jersey!

The Pine Barrens of New Jersey is the largest remaining tract of Atlantic Coastal Pine barren Ecosytem on the east Coast. This region is also known as the "pines" or "piinelands" . The "barrens" refers to its sandy, low moisture, nurtrient poor acidics soils that made it unsuitable for farming traditional cultivated vegetables or crops. But the land is far from being barren. It is a rich and diverse ecological region the harbors several types of upland forests including and amazing "pygmy pine" forest no more than 4 feet tall. The lowlands included heaths of high bush blueberries, huckleberries and dew berries. Acid-loving carnivorous plants and rare orchids inhabit the swamps. Stands of fire resistant pitch pines and atlantic white cedar are abundant in the low lands along with hardwood swamps. A cycle of periodic fires that would occur naturally dedicate the ecosystem and cycles of succession. Today, controlled burns are mixed in with accidental fires. The pine barrens harbor many many different species of flora and fauna with many on endangered or threatened species lists. Beneath the pine barrens lies one of the largest and cleanest freshwater aquifers in the country. The Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer includes over 3000 square miles and 17 trillion gallons of water. The Pine Barrens is the nation's first national reserve: The Pinelands National Reserve (1978 congressional legislation). The United Nations designated it as an International Biosphere Reserve. In this video I explain the amazing geological and biological features of the Pine Barrens through a canoe trip on the Wading River. The "back waters" of the pine barrens are tea or rust colored from tanins, low ph and iron precipitates in the water.
Micks Canoe Rental:
www.mickscanoerental.com/
Atribuitons:
Wilki commons pine barrens
Old houses:
Frederikto, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Stone building
Susan Spitz, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Historic building:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
Jersey Devil
Various/several, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
jersey deveil
Vectorized by Kj1595, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commonse
Fire: Thisisbossi, CC BY-SA 2.5 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Map
National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
View of pines
amartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Old iron furnance
Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons

[@wills.1978]

My parents took us to the Pine Barrens when I was a kid. We drove into a forested area that was designated for picking blueberries, I don't even remember seeing anyone at all, but just remember the quiet beauty of the forest and picking the berries with my family. I swear I saw a baby black bear but no one believed me. Beautiful place, beautiful memory.

[@natureatyourdoor]

It is a really beautiful area! I believe you saw the bear.

[@COOKBEAUX]

A great video with some good information on the early industry of the Pine Barrens, except I wish you would have mentioned something about the world-famous South Jersey glass making industry that was and still is made possible by the incredible deposits of pure silica sand found here in the Pine Barrens. We call it "sugar sand", and it is what makes South Jersey glass so famous, and home to the first fruit jars, blown at Crowleytown (now Crowley's Landing) by John Landis Mason, who patented the first threaded closure on the Mason Jar.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this! I will,certainly investigate and address this in my next visit! 😍😎

[@COOKBEAUX]

@@natureatyourdoor I'd be glad to show you around some old glass town ghost towns and sights. :)

[@miask]

I remember visiting when I was young, we would find slag glass balls, we called them marbles. It’s sad that people don’t know what beauty the state holds.

[@susanoberski8183]

Welcome to my back yard, Frank. I hope you got to visit Batsto and learn the history of the forest and waters there. Most people across the country when hearing I'm from New Jersey ask, oh, what exit ? They don't realize what a gem we have hear.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi! Thank you! Love your backyard. Long story...but I actually graduated from Summit High in Summit New Jersey!

[@tylert.8281]

Excellent video! I am from Bayonne in northern NJ, and I always advocate for the Pine Barrens. There’s a magical feeling down in those woods, and I try to convince all my fellow northerners to spend some time at Double Trouble, kayak on the Batsto River, or camp wayy down in Belleplain!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes...magical!

[@gerardjohnson2106]

That is some very beautiful scenery. I didn't know the Pine Barrens was so expansive. Thanks for sharing your travels and discoveries with us.

[@natureatyourdoor]

😃👍

[@rainisfedup1225]

Man this is great!! I went here rhis summer with my summer camp, when I this on my KZbin feed i was so happy!!! This place really opend my eyes on how fun kayaking really is.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Most special place in the world to kayak!!!

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

Great info! I kayak and camp in the pine barrens often - it's such a beautiful area!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome! It is a very special wilderness for sure!

[@brucesmith9144]

This was awesome. The Pine Barrens are a surprisingly beautiful part of New Jersey and well worth the visit.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you! And..for sure!!

[@benmoffitt7524]

I never realized what a beautiful and unique area the Pine Barrens was. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@natureatyourdoor]

It is an amazing place. I can't wait to go back and explore more!

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

Great Vid. I’ve always been a big fan of the barrens. Have been going there since 1980 when my old scoutmaster used to take us down there to go campin and Herping. Been goin ever since. Love your Vid

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thanks. A magical wilderness for sure!

[@MillerMeteor74]

This showed up in my feed tonight. Once I clicked on it to watch it I found out I had already watched, liked and commented on it. So I watched again. Besides Pitch Pine, the second most common pines are Shortleaf. Then in some areas there is Virginia Pine, Loblolly Pine and Pond Pine (which I have not seen yet). Also, like you said, Highbush Blueberries grow in the wetlands. But huckleberry and Bearberry actually grow in the dry uplands. Anyway I enjoyed watching again. Thanks. Oh, by the way, you could try a canoe rental called Palace Outfitters, and go paddling on the Great Egg Harbor River. Palace is on Route 322 near Weymouth Furnace Park. They also have a cafe there.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Very cool! Thanks for the suggestion! I need to get back there soon!

[@MillerMeteor74]

Parts of the pine barrens have excellent soil for farming, such as Hammonton, Pemberton Township, etc. Some soils in the pine barrens are very gravelly as well, such as where I live, Mullica Township. At 3:25, the iron furnace pictures is in Oxford, Warren County, far from the Pine Barrens. The pine barrens aquifer is called "Kirkwood-Cohansey". The bit about Pitch Pines only dropping their seeds in the heat of a forest fire is only partially true. Pitch Pines produce two types of cones- those that open naturally, and those that open only during the heat of a forest fire. Both types of cones can be on the same tree. But good video. Thanks.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and detail. Of course I over generalized attempting to describe such a vast area that of course would include the varied geology and biology you described!

[@jasonwolfe9892]

Don’t forget about the Pine Barrens Gopher snake. 🐍

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! Would love to go back soon and feature it! Thanks !

[@smetlogik]

That is a great way to see the Barrens from a different perspective, great history lesson, I always wondered about the "Barrens" part of the Pine Barrens. Your travel van looks pretty cozy. I'm still doing the tent thing, but that's looking a bit more inviting.

[@natureatyourdoor]

#vanlife! Lol!

[@MultiPetercool]

Mick’s Canoe Rental is an institution. We rented from them back in the late 1960’s! I’ve canoed pretty much every navigable River in the pines. Backpacked most of the trails. Camped over dozens of weekends. I suggest a visit to the Carranza Memorial and Apple Pie Hill. Batsto is beautiful and a trip to Busby’s General Store to grab a snack is a must!

[@natureatyourdoor]

I will have to add the general store to the list! Great to meet someone that appreciates this special place so much!

[@MultiPetercool]

@@natureatyourdoor I assume you’re familiar with John McPhee’s book.

[@Jeni-ow1kl]

FABULOUS VIDEO!!;)) I also think the white cedar & Pitch Pines have some ‘resistance’ to insect invasions?!?! I was amazed by the size of those white cedar trees!💜 Thanks again for a GREAT. IDEO!✌️

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you so much Jeni! Yes..both are pretty resilient trees! So glad you are enjoying what I share! Yes...the cedars fir me seemed almost surreal. Photos didn't do them justice!

[@brianquilty687]

Beautiful scenery ! So I can tell you that the acetic effect on soil is very real. Pine trees drop tons of pine needles that are very acetic and they are a way of the tree to fight off any competition for the acquisition of moisture. I can't grow any decent kind of grass anywhere near our Pine / Fir trees.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! Very true! Plus their roots suck up every ounce of water and nutrients in soil within their reach!

[@carmennunnally9847]

I have those pine trees 🌲 around me

[@natureatyourdoor]

I have an affection for them! 😉

[@loveclairehart2]

thanks nice video :)

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome! Appreciate your comment!

[@judyfinnegan6225]

Thanks Frank! Very interesting! Take care now! 🙂

[@natureatyourdoor]

Can't wait to go back!

[@Blues40]

Amazing video , thank you !!

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome!

[@Piterdeveirs333]

I really miss kayaking in the Pine Barrens

[@natureatyourdoor]

So Beautiful!

[@user-fy2tv5ct2c]

I have fallen in love with your videos. They are really interesting and infomative! But above all these, you manage to covey your great love for nature in the each episode. It attracts. Thank you for your work!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you for encouraging my work with your wonderful comment that I appreciate very much!

[@CozyPiper]

I grew up in the Pines, and we called the water “cedar water.” Not saying they were right, but the adults told me the cedars are what caused the water to be black.

[@natureatyourdoor]

I like that name and description! Thanks for sharing!

[@miask]

Sorry I missed you in NJ! I am from Va, but now I live right on the edge of the Pinelands. It is such a special place. We just had the Cranberry Festival this weekend.

[@natureatyourdoor]

That would be a great place to live! Enjoy that wilderness!

[@miask]

@@natureatyourdoor It is, but I miss Va!

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@miask come visit! 😀

[@fredbrackely]

You need to take a trip or three with Pinelands Adventures then!

[@miask]

@@fredbrackely Yes! I’d love that. I used to canoe the C&O, Potomac, and the James. I’d love to be on the water again.

[@NelsonMartin-hp3js]

Looks like the blackwater rivers of North Florida.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! Very much so!

[@loustoneberger8921]

Any fishing opportunity.?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! Fish with interesting adaptations to the highly acidic water...but I did not investigate fishing there in depth.

[@Jeni-ow1kl]

I was wondering the same;)!?!

[@mikej70]

Great pickerel and yellow perch fishing the water is so acidic few game fish some lakes have less acid and have bass sunfish etc

[@mikej70]

Catfish eels too common fish never saw big eels or big catfish like channel or white . Did see a beautiful yellow catfish swimming in one of the clearer creeks once. Supposed to be common in the east but only saw it once anybody catch or see them ?

[@theyregr-r-reat8035]

Interesting! How could anybody tell if the water is relatively safe for drinking?!? You might drink worms amebas of some sort?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Always use a portable back packing filter!

[@moebanshee]

I live here in the pine barrens and they're in danger because developers are looking for any reason to take them over and politicians are right there behind them.. when people vote. Do you give your Town council permission to use open spaces for public use. You vote Yes thinking they're going to make a park out of it they're going to protect the natural landscape. No public use means a parking lot. Another great adventure. Tearing the trees out to make some kind of facility for ATV racing. The pine barrens are in extreme danger. And it's name is greed.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Always good for conversationists to keep an eye on land use!