…but getting worse
Here’s Why:
The population around the Delaware River watershed is growing, which will increase pressure on the environment and water resources. As our population grows, we also need to make sure everyone gets a fair chance to connect with and benefit from our vital natural resources.
Have you ever wondered how our growing population affects the picturesque landscape of the Delaware River Estuary and Basin?
Our landscape is a patchwork of cityscapes, houses, farms, and lush forests. These landscapes tell a story of how our growing population has repurposed agricultural and natural lands to meet human needs. From 2000 to 2020, nearly one million people moved into the area, developing 210 square miles (more than 13 football fields per day). As we expand development to accommodate this increase in population, there can be consequences for native plants and animals, as well as amplified flooding. However, if we are mindful of how we grow and prioritize natural area protection, we can mitigate these negative growth impacts. This section explores how population changes affect our landscapes and their resilience to natural events.
Housing developments and human infrastructure, like roadways and bridges, cut through the natural landscape and harden surfaces that were once spongy, absorbent soil. When the ground is paved and covered, water cannot soak in. These covered areas are called impervious surfaces. When it rains, water moves quickly over pavement and picks up pollutants. Since the rainwater cannot soak into the ground, it gathers speed and rushes through our communities, and can end up as destructive, polluted flood waters. In addition to increased risk from flooding, development often displaces our native plants and animals and negatively impacts surrounding natural areas.
While farming is critical for food production, agricultural land use can also strain the health of our streams and watersheds. Farming methods like over-tilling, raising a lot of livestock in a small area, and overuse of fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides can degrade water quality and soil health. It’s not all bad news, though. Environmentally sustainable farming methods, such as using cover crops and minimal tilling, enhance soil health and lessen the strain on our natural systems.
Natural lands like forests, meadows, marshes, and wetlands are vital systems. These areas work like natural sponges and filters, absorbing and cleaning rainwater before it reaches our rivers. In this way, natural lands protect us from floods. They also offer homes to plants and animals and serve as a space for outdoor recreation, among many other benefits.
As our population grows, we need more housing, community services, and infrastructure, which spurs development, often described as “development pressure.” Between 1996 and 2016, development claimed about 210 square miles of the Delaware River Watershed. During the same period, we lost about 106 square miles of farmland and 99 square miles of natural land. Reusing previously developed land for new construction reduces the need for undeveloped land.
How we use land directly influences our waterways and ecosystems, helping paint a picture of our environment’s health. With population on the rise, we’re likely to see further development. To keep the Delaware Estuary healthy, we must champion our natural areas and open spaces, protecting them from over-development. When we do develop, we need to do it wisely. Planting trees along streams and rivers and using permeable surfaces on our roads and sidewalks can help water soak into the ground and minimize runoff. By promoting sustainable regional planning and better coordination among governing bodies, we can ensure that the Delaware Estuary and Basin remains beautiful and healthy for future generations.
How do changes in our region’s population and land use connect to the strategies and goals outlined in the Delaware Estuary Program’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP)? CCMP STRATEGY H1.4: Protect, enhance, and improve non-tidal wetlands CCMP STRATEGY H2.3: Protect and manage high-value and threatened forests for water quality This Population and Land Use indicator status report is based on research compiled in the 2022 Technical Report for the Delaware Estuary and Basin (2022 TREB). Please refer to this document for more information.
