Improvements to the Meadowlands’ unique urban ecosystem are supported by the work of the Meadowlands Environmental Research Institute (MERI) and Natural Resources Management Department.
MRRI performs ongoing monitoring and studies of the region’s air, soils and water and conducts wetlands research that helps NJSEA learn new benefits of these environmentally sensitive lands and how they can best be enhanced to further help the environment.
The Natural Resources Management Department conducts surveys on area wildlife and wetlands. They also look for ways to enhance and preserve the environment by protecting native plants and other species and finding ways to eliminate or reduce the spread of invasive flora and fauna. The research performed by Natural Resources Management Department furthers its continuing commitment to exploring ways to improve and protect vital natural resources in the Meadowlands District.
Current and past research projects and publications can be found at the following locations:
Meadowlands Wildlife Studies
Birds:
Avian Abundance and Distribution in the Meadowlands District
Contaminant Levels and their Effects in Birds Breeding in the Hackensack Meadowlands
Contaminant Levels in Eggs, Feathers, and Tissues of Canada Geese in the NJ Meadowlands
Metal Concentrations in 3 species of Passerine Birds Breeding in the Hackensack Meadowlands
Ecology of Colonial Wading Birds Foraging in the Meadowlands District
Mass Changes of Six Migratory Passerine Species
Microhabitat Use by Songbirds on Erie Landfill
Seasonal Food for Wintering and Migrating Dabbling Ducks in the Hackensack Meadowlands
Songbird Use of a Capped Landfill
Selected Presentations of Natural Resources
Tree Swallow Reproductive Success
Fish:
2013-2015 Final Fisheries Inventory Report (March 2019)
Inventory of Fisheries Resources of the Hackensack River 1987-1988
Fishery Resources Inventory of the Lower Hackensack River within the Meadowlands District- A Comparative Study 2001-2003 and 1987-1988
Reptiles:
Invertebrates:
Sediments:
In addition, scientific data housed digitally by the NJSEA include:
Animated Data : Satellite Imagery, Balloon Photography and Three-dimensional Modeling
Ecological/Sediment data
Tidal Data