Natural Resources of the Pinelands

When people go canoeing and kayaking, they often comment about the water. Cedar water. Organic tannins and acids leached from cedar trees, coupled with the naturally high iron content of surrounding soils, stain the water a deep reddish-brown. This process makes for some unique flowers and bushes that visitors will see along the trails.

The river's current usually measures two to three miles per hour. It's gentle flow makes it ideal for all travelers to enjoy. As for the depth of the water, usually three to six feet is the average under normal conditions, but deeper where the river channel cuts through. The water's current and depth depend upon recent rainfall in addition to usage or runoff from nearby farms.

Fish

The most distinctive fish you will see is the brightly colored Black-Banded Sunfish. Another interesting species is the Eastern Mud Minnow. Though usually hiding in the dense vegetation, during times of low water levels they can survive by using it's gas bladder. The only potential game fish in the area is the Chain Pickerel, identified by it's elongated duck-billed snout. You might see some Largemouth Bass during your trip because of humans stocking nearby ponds and lakes.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Along the waters edge are an abundance of amphibians. The Southern Leopard Frog, Green Frog and Fowler's Toad are found everywhere. The Carpenter Frog and Pine Barrens Tree Frog are unique the forest. As for reptiles, turtles are the norm. The most common is the Box Turtle. Others such as the Painted, Spotted, and Snapping Turtles can also be found. The Eastern Fence Pine Lizard is very hard to spot because it's skin resembles the bark found on Pine trees. As for snakes, the Common Water Snake and Pine Snake appear in the Southern Wetlands. The Scarlet, Black Racer, Corn, Eastern Hognose, Milk, and Rough Green Snake are also found.

Flowers and Shrubs

Over eight hundred flower types can be found in the Pinelands and throughout the year new blooms can be seen. Many varieties of Orchids grow wild in this forest. Others, such as the Bog Asphodel, Pine Barrens Gentian and Swamp Pink Lily are a very rare species found only here.

Flowering shrubs abound, including the Mountain Laurel and Bay Magnolia. Because the soil lacks many nutrients, carnivorous plants including Sundews, Bladderworts and the Northern Pitcher Plant are common. Hog Huckleberry and the Low Bush Blueberry are the dominant shrubs in the Wetlands region. Thickets of Leather-leaf grow along the streams and around ponds. The ground is usually covered with Sphagnum Moss and scattered Chain Ferns.

Northern Fence Lizard	Golden Club	Canadian Goose

Trees

Covering most of the forests canopy is the Pitch Pine tree. Southern Red Oak is more common in the Southern Pine Barrens. Small clumps of Red Maple and Blackgum are scattered throughout the area, with occasional Gray Birch filling out the remainder. There are more than twenty tree species in the Wharton State Forest.

Birdwatching

Over four hundred birds have been spotted in New Jersey, yet only about fifty that make the Pinelands their home. The most abundant is the Roufus-Sided Towhee, noisily looking for food or singing from it's perch. Catbirds, Yellow Warblers, American Redstarts and Field Sparrows are also common to this region. Bald Eagles, Osprey, Marsh or Red Tail Hawks and Screech Owls roam the skies while Great Blue Herons and Swans enjoy the wetlands.

Mammals

White-Tail Deer and the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit are very conspicuous. Often, Wild Turkeys can be seen scurrying through the brush with their young ones in tow. Beavers and River Otters are common but rarely seen, although you will find evidence by their dams and gnawed trees. Coyotes and Black Bears are appearing more frequently. Raccoons and Gray Foxes also populate the area.

More Information on Natural Resources

We recommend these web sites for more information on the plants and animals of Wharton State Forest and the New Jersey Pine Barrens.