With Conservation Director Carolyn Davies & Marketing Manager Laura Page-Hamelin
May is prime time for amphibians, calling, mating, spawning and hatching. In this episode of “in the field” we are hoping to catch a glimpse of some larval salamanders as they hatch in vernal pools located deep in the deciduous forests of south Georgian Bay…
What is a vernal pool?
Vernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are seasonal bodies of water that provide habitat for specific semi-aquatic plants and animals. They are a distinctive type of wetland usually devoid of fish as they completely dry up at some point in the season. As such, they are isolated from connected waterways and thus allow the safe development of larval amphibian and insect species without predation by fish. These pools, found in the middle of forests and away from streams and rivers are a very unique and transient habitat, so very special for biodiversity.
Vernal Pools are not puddles
Yes, we can find vernal pools in the Spring, yes they are seasonal, but they are not puddles. A puddle is unreliable, they sometimes appear after rainfalls, but not necessarily in the same place. Whereas vernal pools turn up year after year and are important habitats and essential breeding grounds for several species. They are an integral part of our ecosystem.
They are necessary for the health of wildlife that inhabit our forests, especially the most sensitive ones.
Amphibians rely on vernal pools as a nursery ground to raise their young, safe from predation from hungry fish and since amphibians have permeable skin, they are also vulnerable to environmental contaminants – so, are
considered an indicator of environmental health when we find their populations thriving. Vernal pools also offer breeding ground for some species of benthic invertebrates (baby insects that live in the water, before they have wings), like mosquitos. While we may not like swarms of mosquitoes, larval mosquitoes feed the larval amphibians mentioned above, and those that become adults, feed many species-at-risk aerial insectivores, like the Little Brown Myotis, Bank Swallow, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Eastern Wood-pewee. These at-risk species are directly linked to the health, abundance and diversity of wetlands in south Georgian Bay. .
Source: ontarionature.org
Why does our fieldwork matter?
Vernal pools, naturally occurring bodies of water that come back year after year, are an integral part of the Escarpment of South Georgian Bay. As part of the Escarpment Corridor Alliance’s field work, we want to identify these important habitats for biodiversity and work with the community to protect them as we move forward together towards our collective vision of an ecological corridor.
