Pity the poor rusty-patched bumblebee. It used to be one of the most common bees in New Jersey, but no populations of this pollinator have been documented in the state since 1999.
Under a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) proposed rule, conservation status for this insect would be changed to endangered.
In all, 30 species would see increased concern under the proposed rule. They include butterflies, freshwater fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and land mammals.
To be sure, there are conservation successes, too, notably the bald eagle, which in the 1970s was reduced to just one nesting pair in a remote corner of Cumberland County. Now, there are 262 nesting pairs located throughout New Jersey. This is thanks largely to conservation efforts and the banning of DDT, a pesticide that made eggshells so fragile chicks could not hatch in the wild.
The bald eagle would see its conservation status changed from endangered to special concern.
The osprey is a similar success story. Its conservation status would be changed from threatened to stable. There are an estimated 800 nesting pairs of this apex, fish-eating predator in New Jersey.
Atlantic Sturgeon
The Atlantic sturgeon would be moved to the endangered list. Fewer than 250 adults are believed to return to the Delaware River each year to spawn. This fish’s population has been decimated over the years by dredging, hypoxia (insufficient water oxygen), boat collisions, water intakes, and overfishing.
Eleven butterfly species are in store for endangered or threatened status, owing to population declines. “Butterflies are among the many pollinating insects suffering significant declines in population numbers and distribution,” the DEP wrote.
“Factors include habitat loss and degradation… warming climate, pesticides, and loss of critical food and nectar plants to competition from invasive, nonnative plant species and to damage by invasive insects and diseases,” the DEP wrote.
The barn owl, eastern meadowlark, Kentucky warbler, king rail, and salt marsh sparrow each would see heightened concern under the proposal.
The barn owl and eastern meadowlark both are victims of changes in agricultural practices that have resulted in fewer open grasslands and meadows—for example, the disappearance of dairy farms in New Jersey. Also, barn owls have been affected indirectly by use of rodenticides.
The barn owl would be considered threatened and the eastern meadowlark endangered under the proposal.
The king rail was a game bird in New Jersey until 2002, when its population was declared too sparse. These chicken-like marsh birds have been affected by waterway encroachments in New Jersey.
The ruddy turnstone, a small wading bird, would be moved to special concern from stable, based on a significant population decline.
“The department’s aerial surveys of shore birds on Delaware Bay during spring migration indicate a greater than 60% decline in ruddy turnstone over the past decade,” the DEP wrote.
Besides bald eagles and ospreys, various birds would be accorded reduced conservation concern. Cattle egrets and peregrine falcons would move to stable from special concern, and non-breeding red-headed woodpeckers would move to special concern from threatened.
The destruction of trees by insect infestations in New Jersey has created more winter habitat for the red-headed woodpecker, and the lack of snow cover has made it easier for them to find acorns and other food on the forest floor.
Bobcats
The bobcat has the distinction of being the only mammal on the endangered list to be upgraded to threatened. This notoriously elusive species is difficult to count, but wildlife officials believe its population has increased, particularly in the area north of Interstate 80 and west of Interstate 287. “They remain threatened because of their limited geographic distribution and very low densities in areas of the state they historically occupied, namely in Central and Southern New Jersey,” the DEP wrote.
The Cope’s gray treefrog may be benefitting from the shorter periods of cold and warmer winters associated with global climate change, the DEP wrote. “Although still restricted to the four or five southernmost counties, the range of this species appears to be expanding northward.” Its status would be upgraded to threatened from endangered.
Four bat species would be considered endangered under the proposal. Bats have suffered from the spread of white nose syndrome and habitat loss. The DEP notes that land-based wind turbines are a threat to these creatures but that special efforts are being made to understand and mitigate any related dangers to these populations from offshore wind installations.
The Sierra Club’s NJ Chapter is advocating for stronger protections for declining wildlife populations via greater curbs on habitat encroachment and incidental harm to animals.
The DEP proposed rule was subject to a public comment period that has now ended, and a final rule was expected before the end of 2024.