vernal pool
Spring's temporary wetland
A vernal pool is a temporary body of water that forms in spring from snowmelt or rain, then dries up by summer.
These shallow depressions provide critical breeding habitat for amphibians and invertebrates that depend on fishless water: Salamanders migrate to the vernal pool each March.
The seasonal drying prevents fish from establishing, protecting vulnerable larvae.
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- standing waterAccumulated unmoving liquid
- tadpolesLarval amphibians
- amphibiansVertebrates with aquatic larvae
salamander · breeding · puddle · snowmelt · rainy season · depression · seasonal · frog eggs · wildflowers · native plants · meadow · woodland · spring · drought · water cycle · hatch · larvae · mosquitoes
- water bodiessea, lakes, lake, rivers, streams
- freshwaterponds, river water, freshwater lake, creek, brook
- habitatsforest, ocean, lake, river, pond
- protected areasnature reserve, wildlife sanctuary, protected area, nature preserve, wildlife refuge
- California natureCalifornia condor, California poppy, California sea lion, coast redwood, redwood
- freshwater featuresfreshwater lake, creek, brook, tributary, pond