Vernal Pools

Why do vernal pools dry up?

• Animals drink the water.

• The water evaporates.

• Pollution

• Too many creatures live in a vernal pool causing it to dry up.

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This freshwater ecosystem are also called "standing waters" that include lakes, swamps, marshes and vernal pools.

• Lentic ecosystems

• Lotic ecosystems

What is another name for vernal pools?

• spring pools

• summer puddles

• snags

• rain spills

Why do wood frogs and blue-spotted salamanders lay their eggs in vernal pools?

• so fish don't eat their eggs

• so birds don't eat their eggs

• so birds don't eat their larvae

• so they don't dry up in summer

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When do vernal pools dry up?

• winter

• spring

• summer

• fall

What species survives being frozen through the winter and hatches in puddles?

• fairy shrimp

• wood frogs

• blue-spotted salamanders

• larve

Why are vernal pools left out of environmental rules?

• they're small

• not enough species live in them

• they're only around in the spring

• they're deep

What is the primary reason vernal pools are considered temporary habitats?

• They are man-made.

• They dry up after the rainy season.

• They are located in deserts.

• They are constantly filled with water.

Which of the following organisms is most likely to be found in a vernal pool?

• Sea turtles

• Fairy shrimp

• Dolphins

• Coral reefs

How do vernal pools contribute to the life cycle of amphibians?

• They provide a permanent habitat.

• They offer a predator-free environment for breeding.

• They are a source of food for adult amphibians.

• They are used for hibernation.