Forest Health Walk, Stop 7

Spotted salamander. Photo by Dawn Dentzer.

Vernal Pool

In the springtime, the depression in front of you usually holds a small body of water called a vernal pool.

A vernal pool is a temporary habitat that is created by snow melt and spring rains. Vernal pools usually dry up in the summer, so they are unable to support fish. 

Vernal pools provide an essential habitat for some frogs and salamanders. These amphibians spend 95% of the year living in the forest away from the pool, but in springtime they travel to vernal pools where they lay their eggs.

Vernal pools are also an important feeding habitat for turtles in springtime after they emerge from hibernation.

You can help protect vernal pools by staying on marked trails and observing them from a distance. 

Proceed along the trail. At the "T", take a right to stay on the forest health walk and reach Stop 8.