Vernal Pool Certification

Wetlands types of wetlands swamps marshes bogs vernal pools importance of wetlands flood control water purification biological productivity migratory rest-over breeding and nursery area high biodiversity

Vernal Pools temporary ponds that fill with water in spring as a result of snowmelt, spring rains, and/or elevated groundwater levels an increasingly rare type of wetland devoid of the effects of fish predation – why? the breeding strategies of some amphibians have evolved to rely exclusively on vernal pools VP’s are the only type of wetland defined by their animal populations rather than their plant populations

Physical Characteristics temporary contained basins no permanent outlets VP’s completely dry up or water quality becomes unsuitable for fish

Biological Characteristics of Vernal Pools obligate species – animals who must use VP’s for breeding purposes; mole salamanders, wood frogs, fairy shrimp facultative species – animals who may use VP’s for breeding purposes; other frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, insects

Vernal Pool Certification Obligate Method Physical Evidence – contained basin, no permanent outlet Biological Evidence – –fairy shrimp – their mere presence is sufficient proof

for obligate amphibians, proof of breading is required … wood frogs chorus recording, “ruck, ruck” pairs in amplexus egg masses – minimum of two tadpoles mole salamanders adults “congressing” egg masses spermatophors salamander larvae

other data to collect pool length, width, depth, area, compass orientation substrate composition canopy description in-pool vegetation surrounding vegetation air temp., water temp., pH observations of facultative species

compass and map work field sketches and notes compass orientation estimating distances using pace topographic maps necessary for locating pools metes and bounds map distance and direction from two permanent landmarks