Woodland Vernal Pools Research-based Rapid Assessment Tool for Conservation Erik D. Lindquist - M.S., Ph.D. David K. Foster - M.S., Ph.D. Jeffrey S. Erikson - M.S., M.E.P.C. Department of Biological Sciences Messiah College
Woodland Vernal PoolsResearch-based Rapid Assessment
Tool for Conservation
Erik D. Lindquist - M.S., Ph.D.David K. Foster - M.S., Ph.D.
Jeffrey S. Erikson - M.S., M.E.P.C.Department of Biological Sciences
Messiah College
Definition (Colburn, 2004)
• Woodland context– In or adjacent to
• Isolation– Confined basins
• Size– Small and shallow
• Hydrology– Seasonal, with maximum water volume in
spring– Complete drying annually or every few
years
• Biological Community– Lacking established fish populations– Supporting animals adapted for significant
water drawdown
Pennsylvania• Seasonal pools identified as a priority by the
PA Game Commission in their “Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan” (PA-WAP) PART IIB
• Interagency coordination identified– Pennsylvania Game Commission– Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission– Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources
– Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
PennsylvaniaIn the PA-WAP, the following prioritized implementation
actions
Level 1 – Develop criteria for the identification of seasonal
wetlands – Develop list of indicator species – Map and classify vernal ponds – Build an inventory and database to manage location
information
Level 2 – Propose practical field techniques to enable land
managers to recognize and identify seasonal wetlands – Encourage public and private land managers to enter
locations of seasonal wetlands in statewide database(s)
South Mountain Study
• Rapid Assessment Protocol
• Public Outreach Materials
Results from our research activities will directly assist agencies in reaching Level 2 objectives.
South Mountain Landscape
Geographic Uniqueness• Represents the northern terminus of the
Blue Ridge physiographic province, extending over 600 miles southward.
South Mountain Landscape
Geographic Uniqueness• May have served as a historically important
biological/genetic corridor for a variety of species (e.g. Eastern Spadefooted Toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii).
One Notable Feature• Abundance of vernal pool complexes within its forest of over 15,000 acres. • Historically estimated at ~600.
Study Objectives
1)Examine trends in biological diversity among herbaceous and woody plants, macro-invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles with vernal pools and immediately adjacent forests. – Construct ecological models from data collected in
this study. – Anticipated that various anthropogenic, biotic, and
abiotic factors would be identified as indicators of habitat integrity.
Study Objectives2) Assist The Nature Conservancy and PA-DCNR in
the development of a site conservation plan for South Mountain vernal pool complexes.
3) Educate and train on the importance and assessment
of vernal pools (college and
high school students).
4) Disseminate results to professionals and public.
Study Methods• 20 vernal pools• 8 upland controls• Botanical Aspect
– Herbs– Ferns & Allies– Shrubs– Trees
• Zoological Aspect– Macroinvertebrate– Amphibians– Reptiles
• Physical Aspect– Water Chemistry– Volume, Area, &
Perimeter
These studies represent a community-based approach to vernal pools, the first of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania.
Study Methods• Identified vegetation,
macroinvertebrate, and vertebrate species – in each vernal pool and within 1 m
of the shoreline.– point-quarter sampling to 50 m from
pool edge.
• Noted canopy closure and DBH of canopy trees found within the vernal pool and adjacent forest.
• Dip net sampling (not at upland sites).
Results (April – August)Physical & Chemical
Mean
Min
Max Std Dev
Turbidity (FAU)
71.76 26 239 54.81
pH 5.69 4.5 6.8 0.59
D.O. (mg/L) 9.43 4.7 16.5 3.72
NO3 (mg/L) 22.29 3.7 80.9 23.47
area (m2) 408.10
49.68
1409
398.04
volume (m3) 167.82
15.5 475.3
166.37
Results
Botanical Herbs • Herbs - 76 spp. (VP): 34 spp. (U)• Ferns & Allies - 7 spp. (VP): 7 spp. (U)• Shrubs - 33 spp. (VP): 18 spp. (U) • Trees - 27 spp. (VP): 20 spp. (U)
Zoological • Macroinvertebrate - 35 spp. (VP)• Amphibians - 15 spp. (VP): 6 spp. (U)• Reptiles - 9 spp. (VP): 1 spp. (U)
VegetationIn general, greater species richness was found in
vernal pools than in upland sites,especially with respect to herbs and shrubs.
Average Number of Plant Species for Vernal Pool and Upland Sites
43.8
33.3
0
10
20
30
40
50
Vernal Pools Upland Sites
Ave
rage
Tot
al N
umbe
r of
Pla
nt S
peci
es
Herbaceous Plants
• The model R2 is 0.6511 (65.11% of variability explained) with just average NO3 and pH of the pools, and amphibian richness for the site.
Golden ClubOrontium aquaticum
Macroinvertebrates
• The model R2 is 0.5509 (55.09% of variability explained) and the P-value for the overall model is 0.0127 (significant).• Woodland vernal pools could be viewed as freshwater mudflats with season tides.• Perfect breeding conditions for specialist invertebrates.
Predictive Model for Macro-invertebrate Richness
(Multiple Linear Regression)
Variable Estimate
P-value
pH 3.55122 0.0030
Sum Tree Cover 0.04115 0.0269
Sum Perimeter Saplings
-0.37405 0.2342
DO -0.17914 0.2093
Intercept -11.78203
0.0737
Region 1 Federal Indicators No seed dormancy
Herbaceous Plant Rankings for Predicting Macro-invertebrate RichnessRank Name Species Corr. Indica
tor
1 Canadian Clearweed Pilea pumila 0.71348 F
2-6 Northrn Bedstraw Galium boreale 0.68214 F
Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea 0.68214
Lizard’s tail Saururus cernuus 0.68214 O
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea 0.68214
Rue Anemone Thalictrum thalictroides
0.68214
7 Jewelweed Impatiens capensis 0.66807 F
8 Mountain Woodsorrel Oxalis montana 0.46069
9 White Snakeroot Eupatorium rugosum 0.42862
10 Posion Ivy Toxicodendron radicans
0.41486
AmphibiansImportant Factors• Invertebrate Richness• Seedling Richness • Pool Volume
Interesting Negative Correlations
Herbaceous Plant Rankings for Predicting Amphibian Richness
Rank Name Species Corr.
1 Water Horehound Lycopus americanus -0.47625
2 Arrowleaf Tearthumb Polygonum sagittatum -0.44467
3 Striped Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata 0.41663
4 Common Bedstraw Galium aparine -0.40348
5 Fly Poison Amianthium muscaetoxicum
-0.40336
6 Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
-0.40120
7 Violets Viola spp. -0.35999
8 Littleleaf Buttercup Ranunculus abortivus 0.35833
9 Eastern Teaberry Gaultheria procumbens -0.35309
10 Common Speedwell Veronica arvesnsis -0.32518
Raising Public Awareness• Vernal Pool Walks at King’s
Gap Environmental Center• Forest Pools Preserve at
King’s Gap• Dissemination through
Posters and Booklets• Future plans to develop
educational modules for middle and secondary school students
Coordination with State Agencies
• Developing the Woodland Vernal Pool Rapid Assessment Model to work effectively within Pennsylvania state agency frameworks.
• Encourage state legislators to have woodland pools that fit the model, protected by law.
• Increase cross-agency communication regarding pool assessment, registry, and conservation.
Funding Provided by
Expertise and AssistanceProfessionals: Samuel Wilcock & Charles DeCurtisStudents: Ashley Beck, Michael Currie, Jarrod Derr, Grace Diehl, Scott Forbes, Rebecca Kern, Alyssa Poplaski, & Brooke Reeve.
Michael Redmer, Leo Kenney, Igor Siwanowicz, Bill Summers, Gary Emberger, Michael Currie & Jarrod Derr
Photos