6 FEBRUARY 2023 VERNAL POOLS

Although World Wetlands Day has come and gone, I want to talk a little bit about vernal pools. Vernal pools are a type of wetland that forms in naturally existing geographic depressions, in the early spring. They are not fed by inlets or outlets, or even by underground springs; but fill slowly from winter snow melt and spring rains. They are shallow, but they are rich in the flora and fauna that they provide for. During their brief appearance, they are host to salamanders and frogs, insects, and crustaceans such as the fairy shrimp. The breeding habitat that the springtime pools provide for these species is vital to their survival. Turtles and invertebrates depend on the pools for breeding, although their dependence upon them is only seasonal. They spend their early development as eggs and as larvae in the vernal pools. Once they grow into adulthood, they move on to a terrestrial existence. The vernal pools dry up, usually, by the end of summer.

One of my favorite wetland species is the tiny tree frog, the spring peeper, which is only about the size of a postage stamp. While it can live its life in a permanent wetland habitat, it is usually found in a vernal pool setting, often hiding under the leaf litter once it has reached its adult stage. Salamanders and their newt cousins are seldom seen; but they require vernal pools to lay their eggs. They will spend the remaining months upland from the pool in which they hatched, foraging in natural, undisturbed (by humans) vegetation. There are close to 30 salamander species in the United States.

Nearly all of the species that utilize vernal pools return to the same pool each subsequent breeding season; just as waterfowl and some birds often return to the same nest. This is why it is absolutely imperative that we protect these temporary wetlands. It has been a brutal winter in much of the country and many places have seen more snow than usual. On this cloudy, bitter cold winter day, I feel like spring cannot arrive soon enough. I am looking forward to the spring melt and the cheerful evening song of the tree frogs!