Vernal Pools at Striar Conservancy

In late winter or spring, as snow packs melt and spring rains arrive, depressions and low-spots in our forest floors fill with water. Many of these are ephemeral or ‘temporary’ forest pools known as Vernal Pools (VPs).  In the state of Massachusetts, Mass Wildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species program (NHESP) uses the following as a broad definition of a vernal pool: “A fish-free, temporary wetland without inlets and outlets, and supports indicator species”.  Once one of these pools has been certified via the NHESP procedure for documenting verified observations of species, it gains an elevated level of protection.

So what is an indicator species? In Massachusetts, the “obligate” or “indicator” species are: Mole Salamanders (Spotted, Jefferson, Marbled, and Blue-Spotted), Wood Frogs, Spadefoot Toads, and Fairy Shrimp.  Here in southeastern Mass, we’d be most likely to see Wood Frogs, Spotted Salamanders, possibly Spadefoot Toads, and if you’re really lucky, Fairy Shrimp.

At Striar Conservancy there are five NHESP certified vernal pools.  Wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp have been observed in one or more of these VPs.