Grazing Vernal Pools

Posted by Chris Kerston

January 18, 2007

Research is being done all over the globe to demonstrate the value of grasslands to the environment. Scientists have shown an intense relationship existing between grasslands and grazers. Recent research applicable to the Sierras and Great Central Valley would be the topic of grazing vernal pools. Vernal pools host an immense amount of diverse unique life which we have yet to fully understand. Vernal pools are areas that do not drain during the rainy season. They pool up and eventually evaporate as the weather dries up. The fauna and flora involved with these pools are greatly adapted to the seasons. During the wet portion of the year the animals and plants are extremely active. They have to consume enough food to survive the dormant season as well as complete their reproductive cycles in an extremely brief amount of time. As the pool dries up the animals go dormant bury themselves in the mud and await the next time the pool will be wet. Much can be learned about these animal’s ability to go dormant for such long periods of time.

Currently the biggest threat to vernal pools is urban development. Ranchers and conservationists have formed collaborative efforts to stop the urban sprawl. They are working to put aside differences to fight a common enemy. Recent research, by Jaymee Marty has shown that grazing vernal pools is actually extremely beneficial to the pools overall bio-diversity. Cattle de-thatch the pools and hold back the invasive annuals to allow the native perennials to take hold. The wildlife that live within those pools thrive within their native perennial ecosystem. Marty’s research, as well as others around the state, have shown that various management procedures with livestock will continue to help maintain and even improve the pools over time.

Read further research at: http://www.vernalpools.org/documents/Marty%20Cons%20Bio.pdf