NJAS Opinion: March 22, 2002

NEW JERSEY'S WILDLIFE ARE DYING OF THIRST:

RESIDENTS URGED TO HELP EASE DROUGHT THREAT TO WILDLIFE

New Jersey Audubon Society announced in March 2002 that New Jersey's wildlife populations are dying from lack of water, and urged residents to become part of the solution.

Eric Stiles, the Society's Vice President of Conservation and Stewardship, said a drought this time of the year has a heavy impact on wildlife, from wood frogs and spotted turtles to the state endangered blue-spotted salamander.

"Humans aren't the only ones to be impacted by the drought," Stiles said. "There is no water in vernal pools, those areas of water created in spring that are essential for these species to reproduce and survive. In turn, their loss of habitat impacts other wildlife in the food chain, such as raccoons, who feed on these species."

Many vernal pool breeding amphibians have short life expectancies. Stiles noted that wood frogs rarely live to be four years old. Prolonged severe droughts have the potential to decimate entire populations.

"We're facing our second silent spring," said Stiles. "The drought is sure to silence breeding choruses of frogs and toads; some local populations may be gone forever."

He added trees also are dangerously affected. "During a drought trees stop producing chemicals that keeps gypsy moths and other insects from eating their leaves and destroying them," he said. "They can also become diseased. This, coupled with the severe increase in the potential for forest fires, severely imperils our woods.

"We have to face it: we're in the dustbowl of droughts."

Drought is sure to affect the Noah's Ark of wildlife. Less water means fewer fruits, berries and nuts on trees and shrubs - which ripples up the food chain. Also, less water available to ponds, streams and freshwater wetlands means higher, potentially harmful concentrations of nutrients.

"It's also time to re-visit the 'chemical cocktail' lawn," Stiles said. "As the water level drops, there is less available to dilute pollutant run-off. Subsequently, wetlands lose their quality to host wildlife." Residents should consider greatly reducing the amount of lawn by landscaping for wildlife and the quantity of fertilizer and pesticides. Workshops on landscaping are offered through the New Jersey Audubon Society's Center for Research and Education, or you can purchase Pat Sutton's book on beneficial landscaping from any New Jersey Audubon center.

To help curb the drought's impact, Stiles urged residents to take the following simple, conservation measures:

-- Work with town planning boards and environmental commissions to produce ordinances safeguarding wetlands and wildlife. You can get more information on municipal planning through the NJ Association of Environmental Commissions - http://www.anjec.org.

-- Help map the location of vernal pools statewide through the NJ Vernal Pool project. More information can be obtained from the following website: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/vpoolart.htm

-- Reduce or eliminate your use of lawn chemicals. People should convert lawn into "wildlife gardens". These gardens provide endless hours of wildlife entertainment, as you can watch wintering birds, hummingbirds, butterflies and other wildlife in your backyard. In addition, wildlife landscapes require less chemicals and long-term maintenance. These areas also help feed our water supply by allowing for water percolation. Sod lawns are almost as impermeable as concrete and are a wasteland for most wildlife!

-- Reduce your personal consumption of water through better technologies (e.g. low flow toilets and shower heads and alternate day showers). For ideas on reducing water consumption, visit the Department of Environmental Protection's site - http://www.njdrought.org/ideas.html

Anyone who would like more information on conservation practices should call New Jersey Audubon Society at 908-766-5787.

Founded in 1897, the New Jersey Audubon Society is one of the oldest, independent Audubon societies in the United States. The not-for-profit organization fosters environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among New Jersey's citizens, protects New Jersey's wildlife, and promotes preservation of New Jersey's valuable natural habitats. New Jersey Audubon maintains stewardship of over 30 sanctuaries and conducts its programs through nine staffed facilities throughout the state. It is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.