1. Vernal Pool Certification

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

12. 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

13. 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