Investigating Changes in Land Use and Population Dynamics in Somerset County

Tyler Matthews
Environmental Issues
Dr. Emma Witt
October 9, 2016
Stockton University

Introduction
In the 21 century, the spotlight is beginning to shine on the environmental impacts humans have
on this Earth, and the environmental issues brought about are finally being thoroughly studied and
monitored. Arguably one of the biggest impacts we as a species have is land use. Though new laws and
ideas are changing the process of expansion, centuries of irresponsible land use have degraded our
environment on a local, national, and even global scale. Natural resources are being depleted and the
human population is expanding at an alarming rate, continuing to reach its theorized carrying capacity
(The Future of Life, Dr. Edward O. Wilson). If land use isnt degrading the environment, its making it
susceptible to degradation through natural or man-made events (Lubowski, 2006). The New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protections Division of Land Use Regulation says it best, There is an
intimate tie between land use and the health and quality of our streams, estuaries, coastal waters,
wetlands, wildlife habitat and our drinking water. Due to New Jerseys proximity to New York City and
Philadelphia, urbanization has always been an economic blessing and an environmental curse for the
state. Once the Civil War ended and the Industrial Revolution came underway, New Jersey was a prime
real estate location for factories, and cities such as Trenton, Newark, and Camden grew
exponentially. Railroads were built soon after and the states economy expanded as the population
doubled in the early 1900s. Eventually the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Expressway were
built to help connect the growing population. Today, New Jerseys population is just shy of 9 million
people ( see Figure 1 below), and one of the most serious environmental impacts it faces is physical
habitat alteration (Environmental Trends Report, 2013).
st

Figure 1 - New Jerseys population as estimated by the United States Census Bureau over the last 35 years

Background
Somerset county is located in northern New Jersey, within New York Citys metropolitan area,
and was established in 1688, making it one of Americas oldest counties. It is home to 21 municipalities
and 14,382 acres of public parkland. Somerset County is one that takes environmental protection and
sciences seriously, taking pride in its Environmental Education Center set up by the Park Commission,
the Sourland Mountain Reserve providing recreational opportunities, a Soil Conservation District which
provides technical assistance, education, and scientific input, an Agriculture Development Board designed
to educate the public on healthy and safe agricultural use, and the county stresses the importance of
recycling to its residents through its Solid Waste management.

Land use problems arising in Somerset County and New Jersey as a whole are mainly agricultural
and urban impacts on the land. The New Jersey Turnpike, infamously known for its parking lot sprawl,
runs near the border of Somerset County and just beyond that is the suburban sprawl slowly creeping its
way from New York City. This, in turn, causes many environmental issues that are being seen on a state,
national, and arguably global scale. The massive highway and urban sprawl stretching into agricultural
land are prime examples of habitat fragmentation. Somerset is slowly but surely becoming a victim of
suburban sprawl as its population increases (see Figure 2 & 3 below). In the 2011 land use map below,
you will also notice that the eastern area of Somerset is a mix of low-high residential, a visual effect of
New York City. Urban sprawl and fragmentation have severely negative impacts on the biodiversity of
the area including: the increase of invasive species putting endemic species at risk (Blair, 2004), increase
in the deaths of species by manmade objects, an increase in predation on certain species, and the
extinction of localized populations due to the fragmentation of forests and other ecosystems. These
effects are not only felt by animals, but by plants as well. Invasive vegetation and a lack of vegetation
diversity may wreak havoc to trophic levels if left unchecked. The other issue with highways and urban
sprawl is the severe increase in pollution. The amount of impermeable surfaces leads to runoff pollution
which negatively impacts soil and water quality (Hasse, 2003). Problems such as eutrophication of local
lakes and increases in nitrate and phosphates in the soil all rise exponentially. New Jersey is also home to
critical watershed areas, and a healthy forest means healthy water. The increase in traffic and population
along these areas also decreases air quality while contributing to runoff pollution and, although
convenient, need to be looked at for alternative methods. These situations impact the health of urban and
suburban residents as well. In a case study by the the Trust for Public Land (2013), the avoided costs
annually of health care connected to different levels of physical activity in parks across 10 U.S. cities and
counties were shown to be in the millions, ranging from $4 million to $69.4 million, and was proven that
physical activity promoted from parks can reduce the mortality rates of a city. These existing areas need
to be protected from urbanization by the use of best management practices, so that having to build a park
in the area doesnt become an issue in the first place.
Agricultural impacts include similar problems. Soil erosion, degradation, and vegetation impacts
are something less thought about in todays day and age, where urbanization is considered the
villain. Somerset County takes pride in their agricultural abilities, even hosting an annual agriculture
show. The fact that they have a soil erosion department is a great start, but erosion isnt the only problem
when repeatedly farming specific areas. The amount of chemicals and fertilizers thrown into the mix can
degrade the soil over time. Fertilizer acidification can reduce potential crop yields to zero over long
periods of time, rendering the land useless in terms of farming capabilities. Whats left is empty and
barren land, unable to support vegetation, or any form of life for that matter (Scherr, 1999). The
economic downside of having to replace these lands is also a negative side effect to take a look at. The
article referenced, Scherr 1999, takes a look at these trends in developing countries who rely more heavily
on agriculture than New Jersey, or the United States for that matter, does.
These negative impacts are being felt locally, and worldwide. Protection of biodiversity,
questioning food sustainability in our future, the effects of pollution and the impacts of climate disruption,
are all increasingly hot topics. Land uses altering New Jerseys habitat cause problems like habitat loss
and fragmentation, introducing invasive species, and a decrease of air and water quality. Consequences
of land use must be thoroughly examined before hand and or the biodiversity of the state, as well as the
health and safety of its resident populations, will be put at risk.

Figure 2 - Somerset County population increase from the year 2000 to present day via the United States Census Bureau.

Figure 3 - Somerset County population change by municipality since the year 2000 via the United States Census Bureau

Methodology
For this lab, population data was borrowed from the United States Census Bureau to create graphs
monitoring population growth, while land use data was borrowed from the National Land Cover Database
to create maps of Somerset County showing land use and land use change over a 19 year period, 1992 2011. ArcMap was the software used to make these maps, to visually show land use change and to draw
conclusions from them. Changes in land use that were less than .03% were grouped together into a

category listed as Minimal Change to make the visual easier to understand and keep out data that was,
for all intents and purposes, meaningless.

Results & Discussion

As discussed earlier, Somerset County is following the state and national trend (see Figure 4
below) of increasing in population. It observed an 8% population increase from 2000 to 2010, and it is
estimated to follow that trend when looking at the 2014 estimation of the population. The reasons for this
may vary, weather its Somersets pride in their agriculture and environmentalism, the countys proximity
to the garden state parkway and New York City, or people simply following their jobs and families. This
trend can be found anywhere in the world where a city is involved. Sprawl is a global problem that is just
now beginning to be fought against with the use of environmental planning, and for the better.

Figure 4 - Population growth of the United States via the United States Census Bereau

The land percentage in all four maps was dominated by deciduous forests, residential
areas of varying intensity, and hay/pasture areas, a sign of Somersets love of
agriculture. Somerset is home to a variety of land types, from wetlands, mixed forests, and
agricultural land to urban areas and sprawl. The trends observed through monitoring of these
maps proved that there is no discernable change in land use that will cause severe environmental
impacts, yet. If these trends continue to grow, no matter how small, they will eventually become
large enough to show visible negative effects on the environment without the use of best
management practices. As mentioned before, the entire east side of Somerset county is a mix of
low-to intensity residential areas, or suburban sprawl. In the 1992 map, it is clear that sprawl is
invading upon deciduous and evergreen forests and, thankfully, there has been little increase in
sprawl over the last two decades. The Sourland Mountain Reserve in the southern west corner of
the maps also shows little to no land use change, and it is important to note the error in data for
the 2006 2011 map, where the reserve is listed as low-high intensity residential instead of
deciduous and mixed forests. The trend of forests changing into open space or low intensity
residential areas in the 2001 - 2011 map is concerning. If the trend continues, it will most
certainly have an impact on the local wildlife and water quality. It should be restated that the
consequences of these actions should always be fully monitored beforehand for the safety and
benefit of all current and future species in the region. These changes, though miniscule, can have
larger effects on their environment and their entire ecosystem if left unchecked. The damage

could vary from predator-prey relationships, invasive species, pollution of water or air, and
degradation of the soil. All of these have severe negative impacts in their own right.
Conclusion
As mentioned, these changes can have chain effects on their environment. Land use is
not to be taken lightly, and the irresponsible use and planning all over the globe from our
predecessors is a testament to that. It is thanks to the increased environmental efforts and studies
by new scholars and those fighting for environmental justice that humanity is realizing the effects
these poor decisions are having. Habitat fragmentation, poor land use that degrades the soil,
water and air quality, as well as the overall health of species and the ecosystem are issues that can
be found in every country, and are all things to consider when planning future land use. Somerset
County is doing the best it can by preserving areas of land something many areas cannot do for a
variety of reasons, teaching the public via their Environmental Education Center, and attempting
to keep its agriculture in check for the sake of soil and vegetation. Many places around the world
arent knowledgeable of sustainable farming practices or best management practices, especially in
developing countries where that may be somneones entire livelihood. How can a first world
country come in and tell a developing country what is more important, when we have resources
and blessing that they simply do not? Thankfully, more areas are beginning to learn and respect
the environment and, as long as land use is taken with a grain of salt, the environment and all
those involved will continue to live a healthy life.

Figure 5 Land use of Somerset County in the year 1992

Figure 6 - Land use of Somerset County in the year 2001

Figure 7 - Land use of Somerset County in the year 2006

Figure 8 - Land use of Somerset County in the year 2011

Figure 9 - Land use change of Somerset County between 1992 and 2001

1992 - 2001 Somerset County Land Use Change

2.626508

97.37349

% of No Change

% of Change

Figure 10 Percent of change vs percent of no change in land use of Somerset County between the years 1992 and
2001

1992 - 2001 Somerset County Land Use

Change
0.117416

0.155788

0.057876
0.084557
0.043768

0.577479
0.281281
0.191253
0.093752
0.134005

0.083018
0.806315

Urban to Agriculture
Barren to Urban
Forest to Urban
Forest to Wetlands
Agriculture to Barren
Agriculture to Wetlands

Urban to Wetlands
Barren to Agriculture
Forest to Agriculture
Agriculture to Urban
Agriculture to Forest
minimal change

Figure 11 Percent of change by land use type of Somerset County between the years 1992 and 2001

Figure 12 - Land use change of Somerset County between 2001 and 2006

2001 - 2006 Somerset County Land Use Change

2.005121

97.99488

No Data

% of Change

Figure 13 Percentage of change in land use of Somerset County between the years 2001 and 2006, note that black is
lack of data for this graph only

2001 - 2006 Somerset County Land Use Change Title

0.088937
0.109579
0.048219

0.124439
0.745296

0.479698

0.408953

Open Water to Developed Open Space

Open Water to Developed Low Intensity

Open Water to Developed Medium Intensity

Open Water to Developed High Intensity

Developed, Low Intensity to Perennial Ice/Snow

Developed, Low Intensity to Pasture/Hay

minimal
Figure 14 Percent of change by land use type of Somerset County between the years 2001 and 2006

Figure 15 - Land use change of Somerset County between 2006 and 2011

2006 - 2011 Somerset County Land Use Change

1.041228

98.95877

% of No Change

% of Change

Figure 16 - Percent of change vs percent of no change in land use of Somerset County between the years 2006 and
2011

2006 - 2011 Somerset County Land Use Change

0.084809
0.073336
0.052287
0.0418
0.53374

0.078381
0.099482
0.077393

Developed, Open Space to Developed, Medium Intensity

Deciduous Forest to Developed, Open Space
Deciduous Forest to Developed, Low Intensity
Deciduous Forest to Barren Land
Pasture/Hay to Developed, Open Space
Cultivated Crops to Developed, Open Space
Cultivated Crops to Developed, Low Intensity
minimal changes
Figure 17 - Percent of change by land use type of Somerset County between the years 2006 and 2011

Figure 18 - Land use change for Somerset County between 2001 and 2011

1.337968
2001- 2011 Somerset
County Land Use Change

96.909616

% of No Change

% of Change

Figure 19 - - Percent of change vs percent of no change in land use of Somerset County between the years 2001 and 2011

2001 - 2011 Somerset County Land Use Change

0.169957

0.242998

0.292429
0.266101

0.200946

0.165537

Developed, Open Space to Developed, Medium Intensity

Deciduous Forest to Developed, Open Space

Deciduous Forest to Developed, Low Intensity

Pasture/Hay to Developed, Open Space
Cultivated Crops to Developed, Open Space
Cultivated Crops to Developed, Low Intensity
Figure 20 - Percent of change by land use type of Somerset County between the years 2001 and 2011

Citations
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Xian, G., Homer, C., Dewitz, J., Fry, J., Hossain, N., and Wickham, J., 2011. The change of impervious
surface area between 2001 and 2006 in the conterminous United States. Photogrammetric Engineering
and Remote Sensing, Vol. 77(8): 758-762.
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