Name:
NY Heritage: Vernal pool
Reference:
Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
Description:
An aquatic community of one or more associated intermittently to ephemerally ponded, small, shallow depressions typically within an upland forest, but also within various palustrine and other terrestrial communities. Vernal pools are typically flooded in spring or after a heavy rainfall, but are usually dry during summer. Many vernal pools are filled again in autumn. Substrate is typically dense leaf litter over hydric soils. Substrate type is known to vary from deep sands to loam to sandstone pavement. Vernal pools typically occupy a confined basin (i.e., a standing waterbody without a flowing outlet), but may have an intermittent stream flowing out of it during high water. Several hydrologic types of vernal pools have been identified including natural isolated basins, floodplain basins, in-stream basins, swamp pools, and marsh pools (Barbour 1999).
This community includes a diverse group of invertebrates and amphibians that depend upon temporary pools as breeding habitat. Since vernal pools cannot support fish populations, there is no threat of fish predation on amphibian eggs or invertebrate larvae. Characteristic animals of vernal pools include species of amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, and insects. Vernal pool species can be categorized as either obligate (species that depend upon vernal pool habitat for their survival), or facultative (species that are often found in vernal pools, but are not dependent on them and can successfully reproduce elsewhere) (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Fisheries & Wildlife 2001, Colburn 1997).
Obligate vernal pool amphibians include spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), blue-spotted salamander (A. laterale), Jefferson=s salamander (A. jeffersonianum), marbled salamander (A. opacum) and wood frog (Rana sylvatica). Fairy shrimp (Anostraca) are obligate vernal pool crustaceans, with Eubranchipus spp. being the most common.
Facultative vernal pool amphibians include four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum), red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens), spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor), green frog (Rana clamitans), American toad (Bufo americanus americanus), and Fowler=s toad (B. woodhousei fowleri). Facultative vernal pool reptiles include painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), and snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Facultative vernal pool mollusks include freshwater fingernail clams (Sphaerium spp., Musculium spp., and Pisidium spp.) and amphibious snails (Physa spp., Lymnaea spp., and Helisoma spp.). Facultative vernal pool insects include water scorpions (Nepidae), predacious diving beetles (Dytiscidae), whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae), dobsonflies (Corydalidae), caddisflies (Trichoptera), dragonflies (Anisoptera), damselflies (Zygoptera), mosquitoes (Culicidae), springtails (Collembola) and water striders (Gerris spp.). Leeches (Hirudinea) are a facultative vernal pool annelid.
Plants are predominantly hydrophytic, typically with a combination of obligate and facultative wetland species. Floating and submergent plants may be common, but emergent plants should be sparse or lacking. Characteristic vascular plants may include mannagrass (Glyceria spp.), spikerush (Eleocharis acicularis), water purslane (Ludwigia palustris), naiad (Najas spp.), duckweed (Lemna minor), and water-hemlock (Cicuta maculata). Characteristic bryophytes may include Brachythecium rivulare, Calliergon spp. and Sphagnum spp. A characteristic rare plant of examples on the coastal plain may be featherfoil (Hottonia inflata).
Five to seven ecoregional variants (including Northern Appalachian, Great Lakes, Lower New England, Allegheny Plateau and North Atlantic Coast types) are suspected to differ in characteristic and dominant vascular plants, amphibians and invertebrates, as well as water chemistry, water temperature, substrate type, and surrounding forest type. More data on regional variants are needed.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28587.NYHERITAGEVERNA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
1
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