Vernal Pools

What?How?Where?Why?

What is a vernal pool?

• Vernal is derived from the Latin word for spring

• A vernal pool is a seasonal pool that is present in the spring and dries up in late spring or summer

February March June November

How and where?• Remnants of lava

plateau along Hwy 15 corridor

• Surrounding softer geology erodes leaving mesas– Dense; less porous

• Examples:– Mira Mesa– Miramar– Santa Rosa Plateau

Why are vernal pools important? Sustainability of an

unique ecosystem

• Fairy Shrimp– Within days, dormant embryos

(that can be up to many centuries old) develop into adults

• Copepods, Daphnia, other crustaceans, and flatworms

• Insects & insect larvae• Aquatic snails• Tadpoles, Frogs, toads• Snakes• Birds

Why don’t we see more of these?

• Most vernal pools are gone– Less than 10% remain

in Southern California• Human impact

– Development– Pollution

• …but with a bit of education, protection, and restoration

Miramar Campus