Biology of NJ Shore

We have two biology areas to explore.

|Wildlife | Salt Marshes|

The Near Shore Biology of New Jersey



The near shore area of a New Jersey beach is a biologically diverse area. Many different kinds of plants and animals inhabit the beaches of New Jersey as well as the waters just off the coast.

Northern Stargazer

 

 

Spiny Boxfish

Blue Mussels

Marmaid's Purse

Starfish

Some of the more common fishes found in the waters off the Jersey shore include the bluefish, the smaller killifish, and silversides. Some of the fish that we found along the Jersey shore include a northern stargazer, which lies under the sand and await unwary crustaceans, and also have an electric shock that paralyzes their prey, striped burrfish or spiny boxfish (see photos). The spiny boxfish can grow up to 10 inches in length, and is known to travel so slow in the water that divers can catch them (see photo). Many species of crab also call New Jersey's waters home. Hermit crabs and horseshoe crabs, both not really true crabs, but called so nonetheless can be found up and down the Jersey coast. Blue crabs can be found in the shallows and in places where the bottom is covered with mud or sand and gravel. Rock crabs can be found on sandy and gravelly shores during the spring and summer months when they come up from deeper waters. Spider crabs can often be found washed up on the shore, but camouflage themselves in the water making them difficult to spot.

Some of the more common mollusks found in the sand along the shore or attached to rocks or pilings in or the near the water include, moon snails, razor or jack knife clams, scallops and oysters. Blue mussels, which can be easily recognized by their tell tale blue black shells are very common along the Jersey shore, and can be found attached to rocks or pilings at very low tide (see photo). Surf clams, the most common clam shells found on the beach, can grow up to 10 inches long, and inhabit the sandy bottoms of the intertidal zone (see photos). Various other organisms can also be found along the Jersey coast. The two most common kinds of barnacles found in New Jersey are goose barnacles and acorn barnacles. Slipper shells, which are really snails attached to one another, are also commonly found attached to rocks. Ghost crabs live in the sand just above the waterline. Mole crabs are tiny creatures that live in the swash zone, feeding on tiny microorganisms that are brought in on waves. Jellyfish can be found washed up on the shore, but sometimes can be see swimming in the waters along the coast. Star fish can also sometimes be found washed up on shore (photo). A mermaid's purse, a strange looking object, (see photo) can be mistaken for a living organism, but is really just the discarded egg case of a skate or shark.

Besides being home to a diverse group of animals, the near shore environment of New Jersey is also home to a various array of plant life, including eelgrass, most often found in bays, kelp, seaweed, rockweed, irish moss, and cordgrass. Most of this plant life is hidden by the water, but can be seen at low tide in most places, and is often found washed up on shore.

The New Jersey coast is a biologically diverse ecosystem containing hundreds of different kind of organisms, all living together, but each trying to survive. This page is only a sampling of the most common organisms found along the Jersey shore, and is meant to be an overview of the biology found along the shore.

References
The Beachwalkers Guide. Ricciuti, Edward. Garden City, NY. Doubleday and Company Inc 1982

 

Salt Marshes


Salt marshes are, plant maintained environments formed around protected bays and coves. These wetlands are defined by a sea of grass, mainly Spartina, and are commonly found along the inner reaches of the bays, where they are protected from the full force of the pounding surf. In this environment, the local flood and ebb tide effects in relation to growth, result in pioneer species becoming established and result in sedimentation.

The salt marsh is home to a wide array of animal and plant life. Seasonal changes encourage a diverse group of organisms to live there. These organisms can survive in extreme cold and heat and are well adapted to the environment. Wetlands offer the perfect natural nursery for a variety of species such as fish, crabs, snails, and birds. The thick vegetation provides a rich supply of food as well as a safe haven for these animals in their earliest days before migrating to greater waters.

This delicate ecosystem acts as a buffer between land and sea. It regulates the amount of nutrients and pollutants that are washed into the coastal waters. It also acts as a filter in which water filled with pollutants such as septic waste, fertilizers, and pesticides, flow out the other side cleaner.

References
A Introduction to the Worlds Oceans, A. Duxbury, A. Duxbury, 1997 ; Wm C Brown, p507.

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