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The month of May is brimming with new possibilities. Winter is long gone now, and the plants and animals are buzzing with energy. Storms and rain bring new life to the land, filling up our streams, rivers, and wetlands to begin another cycle of life.
May is appropriately celebrated as American Wetlands Month. It is a time when wetlands are more identifiable than other points of the year due to new blooms and rain, taking fallow land and transitioning it into an incubator of life, full of water and wildlife.
We’re wrapping up this month by celebrating a hidden ecological gem in Indiana: vernal pools. You may or may not be familiar with more common wetlands, such as marshes or swamps, which can be found throughout the state of Indiana. But have you heard a vernal pool?
What is a vernal pool?
Sometimes referred to as an ephemeral wetland, vernal pools are seasonally flooded pools that fill up in the spring (vernal meaning spring) and usually drain by the end of spring or early summer.
Vernal pools look like a pond, but are often smaller. They only hold a few inches of water, and do not have an inlet or an outlet, meaning no water flows in or out of the pools from a stream – they are simply depressions in the landscape that fill up with water.
They may also look like large puddle and are mostly found in forested areas, though they can be found in any landscape where they meet the definition of a vernal pool. Definitions can also vary depending on the region that vernal pools are located in, or the entity identifying vernal pools.
What makes vernal pools unique wetlands is that they are small, isolated, and dry up relatively quickly. As a result, vernal pools are unable to support fish populations, making them ideal breeding grounds for amphibians like wood frogs, Jefferson salamanders, and blue spotted salamanders. Fish populations will predate on the eggs of these species, impacting their ability to successfully produce offspring. The small and ephemeral nature of vernal pools is what makes them magical, providing a temporary time to keep amphibians safe from predators.
Are there vernal pools in Indiana?
Vernal pools occur throughout the state of Indiana and are especially prominent between the months of February through May. The state does not have a comprehensive database or map of vernal pool locations, so finding vernal pools here can be a bit tricky, but not impossible.
Identifying a vernal pool may require an ecologist or wetland expert who has knowledge of this type of ecosystem. However, you can try to identify vernal pools by looking for small, shallow, water bodies and observing whether they dry up seasonally. To find vernal pools in Indiana, look in areas that flood — near existing wetlands, streams, and rivers, and in valleys or depressions.
Where you can find a protected vernal pool: Holley Savanna in Fair Oaks, Indiana
Are vernal pools protected?
The Clean Water Act, which is the overarching law protecting water in the United States largely exempts any type of ephemeral wetland from regulation, which means unless there are explicit protections for vernal pools, many are left unprotected.
In addition, wetlands are regulated based on whether they are directly connected to a nearby stream or river. If there isn’t proof of connection, then many wetlands are deemed isolated, leaving regulation up to the state.
Because vernal pools are not connected to nearby waterbodies, they are considered isolated by nature. Indiana state law regulates isolated wetlands, but most do not need permits to impact them. An isolated wetland must be listed as a specific ecosystem type and therefore a Class III wetland, or a Class II above a certain size. Vernal pools are often small and are not listed as a specific ecosystem type under Class III definitions, leaving these delicate ecosystems at the hands of private landowners and developers.
Threats and future conservation
Vernal pools are threatened by development, habitat loss, pollution, and the lack of protection and education around them. These threats have spurred many conservation efforts across several states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, which have undertaken efforts to identify and map vernal pools. Some states, like Vermont, have explicit protections for vernal pools due to their significance in providing ideal breeding habitat for amphibians.
What you can do to help
You can help vernal pool conservation in Indiana by identifying and protecting vernal pools on your private property and learning more about these valuable wetlands. Education and spreading awareness about the importance of vernal pools is often the first step in enacting change, so read on about vernal pools and maybe you’ll discover one close to you!
Northeast-Midwest Vernal Pools Collaborative
The NE-MW Vernal Pools Collaborative is a regional effort amongst states in the Great Lakes and Northeast to map vernal pools, raise awareness about the importance of vernal pools, and work to protect them. Read more about the collaborative here.
Links to learn more about vernal pools
Header image credit: Chris Light
Categories: Sustainable Development and Green Infrastructure