Discover Vernal Pools: the Disappearing Wetlands FULL of Life!

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Vernal pools are a special type of shallow wetlands that fill with snow melt and rain in late fall through early spring, then dry up sometime during the summer. Because they dry up, they are sometimes overlooked or dismissed as “not very good wetlands.” However, they serve an important role in the ecosystem and can be teeming with all kinds of life.

In this episode, we talk with Tom Biebighauser about vernal pools. Tom is a wildlife biologist, wetland ecologist, educator, and author. He has written multiple books about vernal pools and has made a career of restoring and creating wetlands. Throughout our conversation, Tom shares many stories about creating vernal pools on his own property, on other people’s properties, and at schools.

Almost by definition, vernal pools don’t contain fish, because fish wouldn’t be able to survive when the vernal pool dries up. However, because they don’t have fish, vernal pools are extremely important breeding sites for frogs, toads, salamanders, and many aquatic invertebrates. In more permanent bodies of water, those animals and their eggs, tadpoles, and larva would face a significant threat of being eaten by hungry fish, but that’s obviously not a risk in a place where there aren’t any fish.

In many states, 90% of our wetlands have been drained and filled. This is especially true for vernal pools, probably because they do dry out for part of the year. Vernal pools are often relatively small – sometimes only the size of a living room or even smaller. They are also very shallow, usually only inches to maybe a foot or so deep, and have gently sloping sides.

One of the reasons that wetlands are often drained is for mosquito control. However, mosquitoes typically aren’t a problem around vernal pools because the mosquito eggs and larvae are eaten by everything that is in the vernal pool. If a vernal pool or wetland holds water for more than a couple of months then it will attract frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, and other mosquito predators.

Many people are probably familiar with the concept of rain gardens and may even have a rain garden already. However, vernal pools differ from rain gardens in that vernal pools hold water for several months, while rain gardens go dry much faster. Because rain gardens typically only hold water for a few hours to a few days, they don’t develop the complex ecosystems of a vernal pool.

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[BackyardEcology]

This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.

[WarrenRCG]

Thanks for the information! We have a number of spots on the property that can be massaged into vernal pools. So much to do in so little time😅

[bobe.]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing

[darrellwilliams]

I like the combination of Anthony's intro, Shannon's podcast and the video

[nickbottonejr.]

Terrific Feature, and Kudos to "Backyard Ecology!!" Just viewed your exceptional vid and have to say I'm chompin' at the bit to get started up here in the chilly northeast!! Amphibian activist here, with a (self built) goldfish pond and also a frog pond which is placed in shallow woods on the property. Both water features attract a wealth of nature's action during the season with the frog pond being an annual haven for the breeding of both the Wood Frog & the Spotted Salamander!! Realizing the extreme challenges being face today by these magical "vernal pool" stars of nature and many more of their amazing colleagues I am happy and privileged to play a roll in their continued preservation. My hat's off to you again in this terrific pursuit and magnificent part of Nature!

[RogerWilber]

Thank you. There's a part of my back yard that floods every spring (we were told there's a natural spring back there)) that the previous owners attempted to fill in just before we moved in. This explains the frogs, turtles and such that were plentiful the next spring but have fallen off significantly. Now it's mostly just thick mud every spring and I'm thinking maybe we should be looking at restoring it to something closer to what it must have been pre-fill.

[nolanjdon]

I made one with my in-ground beds this year by accident. Have a fun little in e skating rink in my yard now but sadly too cut off from the many across the street in the wetland to be a viable location but good for my watershed nonetheless!

[TrrsnSmrg]

Does anyone know how to switch on the Spanish language subtitles for this channel?