Vernal Pools
Vernal Pool Pictures of eggs, spermataphores, and amphibians |
 Jefferson Salamanders |
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BEAT again Presented Two Workshops on Vernal PoolsOn April 18,2009 we presented Vernal Pools – Ecology and Conservation with Tom Tyning, a workshop that provided an in depth look into the science and policy of vernal pools. On April 19, 2009 we presented a Vernal Pool Certification Training Workshop, with Jane Winn, Executive Director of BEAT. This afternoon hands-on workshop offered a free crash course in vernal pool certification under the new Natural Heritage guidelines. Thank you to Dicken Crane of Holiday Farm for allowing us to certify two vernal pools on his property. It was very exciting to find woodfrog and mole salamander eggs, and fairy shrimp in both pools. |
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NEW Vernal Pool Certification Guidelines - 3/2009 In March, the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife released a revision to the Guidelines for the Certification of Vernal Pool Habitat (pdf) (“Guidelines”). The NHESP accepts certain biological and physical documentation submitted by outside scientists, resource managers, and other interested parties as the basis for the certification of Vernal Pool Habitat. The recent revision is designed to ensure consistency between the NHESP’s “vernal pool certification criteria” and the biological and physical characteristics of “Vernal Pool Habitat” in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act regulations. The revised Guidelines reduces the number of facultative (indirect indicator) species acceptable for certification to four amphibians (i.e., Spring Peeper, Gray Treefrog, American Toad, and Fowler’s Toad) and eliminates the “Dry Pool” method for vernal pool certification. In addition, requirements for documenting the physical and biological characteristics of a vernal pool have been changed. For example, a greater number of photographs are required of the basin and any inlets or outlets, and the number of egg masses of obligate amphibian (direct indicator) species (e.g., Wood Frogs or salamanders) has been increased from two for each species to a total of five for all species combined. The revised Guidelines document is available at www.nhesp.org at the ‘Vernal Pool’ tab. The NHESP has administered the state’s official vernal pool certification program for over 20 years. Visit the MassWildlife website at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/vernal_pools/vernal_pools.htm for information about how to certify and protect vernal pools. The height of spring amphibian activity comes during warm, rainy nights when Spring Peepers are heard calling. Thousands of frogs, salamanders, and toads move across roadways under these conditions and many amphibians are squashed by vehicles traveling after dark. Some local communities and conservation groups host salamander crossings at key places where traffic is slowed to allow for the safe passage of these animals. Other local groups meet at known "Big Night" crossings or look for new road crossings to share this seasonal phenomenon with the public or to document the presence of nearby vernal pools. This month, consider doing your daily errands before dark or during dry evenings as a way to reduce amphibian traffic mortality. Another useful website with information on vernal pools, crossing signs, and additional educational materials can be found at the Vernal Pool Association website, www.vernalpool.org. return to top |
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Massachusetts Proposes Changing Vernal Pool GuidelinesIn January 2009, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program proposed changes to the methods that may be used to certify a vernal pool. Please take a look at the proposed changes (pdf). You can read BEAT's comments. Also, you can read Mass Audubon's comments that BEAT believes sums up all the problems with the proposed changes. |
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BEAT Presented Two Workshops on Vernal PoolsOn April 12,2008 we presented Vernal Pools – Ecology and Conservation with Tom Tyning, a workshop that provided an in depth look into the science and policy of vernal pools. Attending were Conservation Commissioners and Conservation Agents, foresters, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation foresters, educators teaching many different grade levels, wetland scientists, and others interested in these natural wonders. Thanks to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), we were able to offer 6 Professional Development Points for this workshop. On April 13, 2008 we presented a Vernal Pool Certification Training Workshop, also with Tom Tyning, for lay-people, volunteers, and concerned citizens. This afternoon workshop offered a free crash course in vernal pool certification to anyone willing to commit to certifying at least one pool over the coming year. Both of these workshops were held at Berkshire Community College (BCC). BCC has become a wonderful partner in helping organizations like BEAT hold important educational events, forums, and meetings. The technical department always ensures the equipment will operate flawlessly. It is a real pleasure to work with this college and their faculty, staff, and administrative personnel. |
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Protection and Study of Vernal PoolsIn Massachusetts, certified vernal pools are afforded extra protection. According to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program website:
In addition, vernal pools may be home to Jefferson Salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) a Massachusetts state-listed species of Special Concern, which comes under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). In New York state, the New York Natural Heritage program recognizes the need for further documentation and study of vernal pools. They also list Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the protection of vernal pools. In Vermont, the Vermont Wetlands Bioassessment Project was initiated as part of a New England-wide effort to develop and implement biological assessment and monitoring programs for wetlands. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) and the Vermont Nongame and Natural Heritage Program (VT NNHP) began working collaboratively to develop methods for the classification and bioassessment of vernal pools. In New Hampshire, information on vernal pools documented by volunteers are sent to the local conservation commission and NH Fish and Game. In Maine, significant vernal pool habitat is protected by law under the Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA). |
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How to find on-line maps of Certified and Potential vernal poolsTo find the Mass GIS map of Certified and Potential Vernal Pool locations in Massachusetts, go to the MassGIS website , and click on the red MassGIS logo. (The first time you may need to download the OLIVER Installer.) This will launch a JAVA script which may take a few minutes to launch depending on how fast your computer. A "Log In" screen will appear. Log in an Anonymous User (the default - so you just click on the Log In button). A map of Massachusetts will appear with all the towns outlined. At the top, there is a tool bar with a +magnifying glass second from the left. If you click on the +magnifying glass, then click-and-drag a box on the map of the area you are interested in. You may need to do this a couple of times to zoom into where you want. There is also a -magnifying glass to zoom out. On the right side of the screen, you can select different layers. These are fun to experiment with, and you can find an overwhelming amount of information, but we would suggest starting with as a base layer either:
You can only see either image (topographic map or ortho photo) at one time, not both. You can turn them on and off by checking the box at the lower right part of the screen, then clicking "Update Map". If you have both layers checked (turned on) the one that is higher up in the lower right part of the screen will show. These images will only show when you are zoomed in enough. If you are not zoomed in enough, when you click "Update Map" the title of the layer will be grayed out. To see the Certified Vernal Pools and Potential Vernal Pools:
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Vernal Pool information on the webMass Audubon's Vernal Pool webpage provides great background on how and why certification protects vernal pools in Massachusetts. This is an excellent source of information on vernal pools and their protection. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) - (a branch of MassWildlife, the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife) This program administers the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) as well as certifies vernal pools. This means that volunteers submit the paperwork to document a vernal pool (pdf) to NHESP and then, if the documentation is sufficient, will issue a certification number to that pool and notify the local Conservation Commission of the certification. The Vernal Pool Association - A fantastic website about vernal pools. The Vernal Pool Association began in 1990 as an environmental outreach project at Reading Memorial High School, Reading, Massachusetts. It is now an independent group of individuals attempting to educate others about vernal pool ecology, the local environment, bio-diversity, and the protection of our resources. |
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