Vernal Pool Initiative
What is a vernal pool?
A Vernal pool is a seasonal watercourse in a defined depression or basin, that lacks a fish population and supports or is capable of supporting breeding and development of amphibian or invertebrate species recognized as "obligate"- which means without the vernal pool, the species cannot survive. These species include spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander complex, marbled salamander, wood frog, and fairy shrimp.
Benefits of a vernal pool:
Biodiversity, biomass, food chain support, education, aesthetics
Project description
In 2003, CT Ecosystems was retained to identify PVPs in the Town of Vernon. Black & white aerial photographs were reviewed with mirror stereoscopes, and potential vernal pools were identified by dark "fingerprints", canopy breaks, and landscape position. Forty-eight PVPs were identified, false positives & negatives were expected".
Project results
The Inland Wetlands Commission & the Conservation Commission attended a presentation by Ed Pawlak, CT Ecosystems, to review the project results which were: 29 confirmed vernal pools, 21 PVPS were not vernal pools, 5 PVPS had access denied, and 5 PVPS had unknown unknownership."
Next steps
