Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.
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Transcript of Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.
![Page 1: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Vernal Pools of WrenthamVernal Pools of Wrentham
Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David PickeringSlide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering
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“There are hundreds of vernal pools in Wrentham
on public as well as private land.”
![Page 3: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Fifth grade students have certified over 15 vernal pools in Wrentham
![Page 4: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
A sampling of vernal pools that have been certified in
Wrentham
![Page 5: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Wrentham State Forest Pool
![Page 6: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Madison Street Pool
![Page 7: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Pig Pond Pool in back of Roderick
![Page 8: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Another pool in the Wrentham State Forest
![Page 9: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Birchwood Farm Pool
![Page 10: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Pool in back of Lake Pearl Boat Landing
![Page 11: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Private Pool at Sleepy Hollow
![Page 12: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Pool in back of Franklin St. Pumping Station
![Page 13: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Pool in Crocker Pond Conservation Area
![Page 14: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Another pool in the Crocker Pond Conservation Area
![Page 15: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Another Pool in the Wrentham State Forest
![Page 16: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
What is a vernal pool?
• Temporary pools that fill with water in spring
• Usually go dry in the summer
• Necessary for breeding by obligate species
• No fish• No running water
![Page 17: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Vernal pools remain dry from summer into late fall….
Dry Trout Pond vernal pool (Sept.)
![Page 18: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Same Trout Pond vernal pool filled with water in April
![Page 19: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Importance of Vernal Pools
• Some species are completely dependent on vernal pools for parts of their life cycles
• Obligate, or direct indicator species, must have a vernal pool to breed
• Facultative species use vernal pools for various life activities
• Various other mammals, birds, insects, and amphibians also use vernal pools to drink water and for other life activities
• Important for biodiversity
![Page 20: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
The Big Night
• The one night of the year, usually in March or early April, in which obligate species go in masses to the vernal pool to breed
• Usually a warm and rainy night
• In some places roads are closed to allow safe passage
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Obligate Species
These are species that are completely dependent on vernal
pools for parts of their life cycles. Without vernal pools, these species
would disappear from an area!
![Page 22: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Most Common Obligate Species found in Wrentham: Wood Frogs, Spotted Salamanders and Fairy Shrimp
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Wood Frog
![Page 24: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Wood Frog facts• Small size, 1-2.5 in. long• Easily recognized by the
dark mask on its face• Generally lives in the
woods during the year and only goes to a vernal pool to breed in spring
• You can hear wood frog choruses in the early spring.
![Page 25: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
![Page 26: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Life Cycle of the Wood Frog
• Eggs are fist sized jelly masses attached to sticks and twigs. As many as 1500 individual eggs can be in one mass. A pool can have dozens of masses.
• Tadpoles, or larval stage, hatch after about 28 days
• The tadpole develops into a froglet with legs and tails. Part of change or metamorphosis
• Finally, an adult hops out of the pool before the pool dries up in June
• Very few make it to adulthood due to predation
![Page 27: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Wood frog egg masses attached to sticks in a vernal pool.
![Page 28: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Wood frog tadpoles
![Page 30: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Wood Frog Adult
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Spotted Salamanders
![Page 32: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Spotted Salamander Facts
• Large… 4-8 in.• Black with bright
yellow spots• Lives under rocks and
tunnels• Rarely seen, yet
plentiful
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Spotted Salamander Egg Masses
• Masses of 20-250 eggs attached to sticks in the pool
• Diameter of one mass is a 1-6 inch jelly ball
• Mass is usually clear or white but can turn green with algae growth
![Page 34: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Fairy Shrimp
![Page 35: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Fairy Shrimp Facts
• Small, .5-1.5 in. crustacean
• Lives only in vernal pools• Swims upside down• Female deposits eggs in
mud before the pool dries up
• Life cycle of only a few months ends when pool dries up
• Fascinating to watch
![Page 36: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Other Obligate Species found in Massachusetts
• Spadefoot toad• Blue-spotted
salamander• Jefferson
salamander• Marbled salamander
Vernal pool fact: One blue spotted salamander has been found in Wrentham. No Jefferson or marbled salamanders or spadefoot toads have been reported or found, although they may exist.
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Facultative Species
These are species that use vernal pools and other wetland habitats for their
various life activities. A vernal pool is not necessary for their survival.
![Page 38: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Facultative Species found in Wrentham Pools
• American toads• Spring peepers• Gray tree frogs• Pickerel frogs• Four toed salamanders• Red spotted newts• Painted turtles• Predaceous diving beetles• Caddisfly log cabins
![Page 39: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
American Toads
• Fat and 2-4 inches long
• Warty skin• White belly• Eggs layed in pools in
gelatinous strands• Very common
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Spring Peeper
• Tiny frog, ½ to 1 in. long
• Sharp peeping choruses can be hear up to ½ mile away!
• Light brown color with “X” on its back
• Difficult to see…camouflaged with forest floor
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Gray Tree Frog
• Small, 1-2 ½ in. long• Light gray to brown
color depending on environmental stimuli
• Black lines on back• Inside of legs an
orange color
![Page 42: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Pickerel Frog
• Small size, 1-3 in. long
• Identified by anglular brown spots
• Common in vernal pools as well as ponds
• Often in vernal pools to feed
![Page 43: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Four Toed Salamander
• Small, reddish brown• 4 toes on each foot• White belly• Constricted tail• Lives in a variety of
wetlands• Rare in Wrentham
![Page 44: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Red Spotted Newt
• 3-5 inches long• Completely aquatic• Can live in a variety of
wetlands and even in swimming pools!
• Yellowish brown with red spots with a yellow underside
![Page 45: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Painted Turtle
• Common type of “sun” turtle
• Can be seen basking on logs
• Wide, light lines across shell
• Goes to vernal pools to feed
![Page 46: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Predaceous Diving Beetle Larvae
• These are predators which feed in a vernal pool
• Larvae can be up to 3 inches long and are often called “toe biters”
• Adults up to an inch long with oval bodies
![Page 47: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Caddisfly “log cabin”
• Larva lives inside the cabin
• Cabin acts as camouflage, ballast and protection
• Very plentiful in most pools
• Will eventually emerge as a caddisfly adult
![Page 48: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
What about Redback Salamanders?
![Page 49: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Redback Salamander Facts
• Most common of all the salamanders
• These are terrestrial salamanders meaning they live in the ground
• Can range in color from brown with a red back to black
• Neither obligate nor facultative species
![Page 50: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Protection of Vernal Pools in Wrentham
• Certification only establishes that a vernal pool exists.
• Vernal pools are wetlands and wetlands are protected in Massachusetts
• Generally, building and excavation is not allowed within 50 feet of the perimeter of a vernal pool
• Builders will often mark the pool’s perimeter with blue or red ribbons
• Some pools on private land are being destroyed illegally
![Page 51: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Science Words Associated with Vernal Pools
• Habitat- Environment used by a plant, animal, or other organism. A redback salamander’s habitat is under a dead log on the forest floor.
• Ecosystem- The organisms in a population and the living and non living things which impact them. Fairy shrimp live in a vernal pool ecosystem.
• Life cycle- The successive stages through which an organism passes from egg or spore to adult. The life cycle of a wood frog goes from egg to froglet to adult.
![Page 52: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
More Vernal Pool Words
• Larva- Stage of a young insect’s life after it hatches from the egg but before it becomes an adult. A caddisfly log cabin houses the larvae of a caddisfly.
• Metamorphosis- The rapid change from larval to adult stage. A tadpole undergoes metamorphosis before it becomes an adult frog.
• Adaptation- A change in a plant or animal that improves its chances of survival in the existing environment. An adaptation found on the feet of spring peepers is suction cups that allow it to climb easily.
![Page 53: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
More Life Science Words
• Amphibians- An organism having an early aquatic stage and later developing air breathing lungs as an adult. Wood frogs and spotted salamanders are amphibians.
• Crustacean- a shell covered creature. Fairy shrimp are crustaceans.
• Instinctive behavior- behavior that an organism is born with rather than learned. An instinctive behavior of spotted salamanders is their ability to return to breed in the vernal pools where they were born.
![Page 54: Vernal Pools of Wrentham Slide Show and Photos by Mr. David Pickering.](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022082208/56649d125503460f949e6463/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Good Luck Exploring Vernal PoolsGood Luck Exploring Vernal Pools
The EndThe End