Vernal Pools: Natural History and ConservationThis is first book-length synthesis of the natural history, ecology, and conservation of the seasonally wet pools that occur throughout the formerly glaciated region of eastern North America -- essentially the Great Lakes Basin, New England, and adjacent areas of Canada and the United States. Introductory chapters define vernal pools; provide overviews of their formation and physical-chemical-hydrological characteristics; and present data critical for assessing, regulating, and managing pool ecosystems. The chapters that immediately follow the introduction explore the biology of microscopic life forms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi and the great variety of higher plants associated with vernal pools. The next chapters delve into the descriptions, distributions, habitat requirements and life-history strategies of pool animals, and the ecological processes and patterns associated with the composition and dynamics of pool communities over time. A final chapter discusses research needs and conservation considerations that are a part of the ongoing effort to recognize, understand, protect, and manage vernal pools as viable elements in the landscape of eastern North America. An extensive appendix identifies all animals that have been reported from vernal pools of the region and describes their habitat requirements, geographic distribution, and life history characteristics. Technical terms related to vernal pools are defined in a glossary. An extensive bibliography contains a vast listing of published literature, websites, and unpublished reports. |
Contents
Introducing Vernal Pools | 1 |
Hydrology | 21 |
Origins Landscape Positions | 33 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
acidic adults aestivate Agabus algae Ambystoma amphibians animals annual vernal pools areas basin bottom breeding pools caddisflies chironomid clam shrimp common conservation copepods crustaceans cycle damselflies deposited detritus diapause distributed drawdown DROUGHT-RESISTING STRATEGY dytiscid early spring egg masses Eubranchipus fairy shrimp feed females fingernail clams flooded forest found in vernal genus habitat hatch history strategies HYDROLOGIC CLASS hydroperiod Hydroporus invertebrates juveniles Kenk Lake larvae long-cycle ls/wo/D Massachusetts mole salamanders mosquito nonbreeding migrant northeastern vernal pools occur in vernal Ontario ostracods overwinter parasitic permanent ponds permanent waters Petranka plants populations predators rotifers seasonal sediment semi-permanent pools snails sp/w sp/wo/hm species spotted salamander spring-filling ss/w STRATEGY OR STAGE summer surface tadpoles temp temporary pools Baz temporary waters terrestrial throughout the glaciated toads trematodes turtles upland vegetation VERNAL POOL STUDY vernal pools water beetles water bodies water mites wetlands Wiggins wildlife wood frogs woodland pools