April 22: Visit a Vernal Pool this Earth Day
Today is Earth Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the importance of the planet in our lives and to focus on ways we can protect the Earth. It is serendipitous that Earth Day falls in the spring, a time of rebirth and renewal in the natural world. It is a fitting time for us to appreciate the incredible diversity of life that our planet supports. In our local woodlands, one of the best places to observe the renewal of life at this time of spring is in our vernal pools.
What is a vernal pool? It is a seasonal pool of water that provides habitat for certain plants and animals. Vernal pools are a desirable place for some species of amphibians and insects to reproduce, as they lack the egg eating fish found in ponds and streams. For portions of the year vernal pools dry up, but each spring they fill with snow melt and rain. This is when vernal pools host a flurry of activity, with frogs and salamanders migrating from the surrounding forest to mate and lay their eggs in dense jelly masses.
While Earth Day arrives on the early side of spring in midcoast Maine, vernal pools are generally hitting
their peak activity on this day and are a fantastic place to appreciate the intricate balance of nature, in which even transitory environments like these have a vital role in sustaining our diverse wildlife. Many of us on the Boothbay peninsula live within walking distance of a vernal pool. On this Earth Day we all can be sure to enjoy this valuable habitat while observing its many sights and sounds. If you have never looked closely at a vernal pool, I encourage you to do so. Locally wood frogs, spring peepers, and spotted salamanders are finishing up mating, and their eggs are visible in the pools‘ waters. Frog calls can also be heard on warm nights–some from miles away, so be sure to crack your windows or step out on the porch to enjoy the rich cacophony.
