Webinar: Vernal Pools: Biodiversity Hotspots and Habitat Conservation

Vernal pools are naturally occurring ephemeral wetlands generally found in depressions embedded within upland forests of the Eastern Broadleaf Forest and Laurentian Mixed Forest Province within Minnesota. Within these ecological provinces, the Western Superior Uplands, Northern Minnesota Drift and Lake Plains, and Minnesota and Northeast Iowa Morainal ecological sections host higher concentrations of vernal pools due to topographical features driven by historical glacial ice movement patterns. At a more local scale, the presence of vernal pools is strongly influenced by the surrounding forested environment including elements of topography, canopy shading, and leaf litter.

Vernal pools provide critical habitat for a whole suite of forest dependent wildlife species in Minnesota. Due to the periods of prolonged drawdown in vernal pools, permanent fish populations are not able to survive. This provides habitat for organisms that require or benefit from fishless conditions for successful reproduction. Some of these are obligate species and include organisms that use vernal pools almost exclusively for breeding and larval development. Many of the species that utilize vernal pools also rely on the integrity of the upland forest surrounding the pool for things like cover, foraging sites, and overwintering habitat. 

In this webinar, Spencer Rettler with the MN DNR will do a deeper dive into why these forested wetlands are important, the types of wildlife species that rely on them, and how to conserve the integrity of these sensitive features when conducting forest management.

Each webinar is rated for one CAT1 credit; participants, keep an eye on the chat for the link to the webinar CE request form towards the end of the hour. We will record each webinar and post it on the SFEC YouTube Channel. Recordings are typically available within one week of the live broadcast.