Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation - Softcover

Elizabeth A. Colburn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0939923912 ISBN 13: 9780939923915

Publisher: McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, 2004

Synopsis

This is first book-length synthesis of the natural history, ecology, and conservation of the seasonally wet pools that occur throughout the formerly glaciated region of eastern North America - essentially the Great Lakes Basin, New England, and adjacent areas of Canada and the United States. Introductory chapters define vernal pools; provide overviews of their formation and physical-chemical-hydrological characteristics; and present data critical for assessing, regulating, and managing pool ecosystems. The chapters that immediately follow the introduction explore the biology of microscopic life forms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi and the great variety of higher plants associated with vernal pools. The next chapters delve into the descriptions, distributions, habitat requirements and life-history strategies of pool animals, and the ecological processes and patterns associated with the composition and dynamics of pool communities over time. A final chapter discusses research needs and conservation considerations that are a part of the ongoing effort to recognize, understand, protect, and manage vernal pools as viable elements in the landscape of eastern North America. An extensive appendix identifies all animals that have been reported from vernal pools of the region and describes their habitat requirements, geographic distribution, and life history characteristics. Technical terms related to vernal pools are defined in a glossary. An extensive bibliography contains a vast listing of published literature, websites, and unpublished reports.

About this title

About the Author

Elizabeth A. Colburn, Ph.D., is an aquatic ecologist who has spent much of the past twenty-five years studying, teaching about, and working for the protection of vernal pools and other small wetlands in the formerly glaciated northeastern United States. She worked for Massachusetts Audubon for eighteen years, and presently is on the staff of Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts.

Review

A key strength of Vernal Pools is its coverage of the diverse invertebrate and vertebrate fauna of these temporary water bodies, including discussions of life history and food chains. Colburn discusses adaptive strategies that are necessary for invertebrates to survive in these ephemeral environments. The detailed, referenced lists of faunal taxa will guide students as they assess these relatively unknown aquatic systems. These chapters not only capture the author's vast experience with vernal pools but also her enthusiasm for sharing their secrets with others. --C Michael Falter, professor emeritus of aquatic ecology and limnology, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho (BioScience, Vol. 56, No. 10, October 2006)

Elizabeth Colburn has written a book that should prove to be a valuable resource to a wide group of people, from land managers to scientists to interested landowners. This is a well-organized, well-written, well-illustrated book. As we become increasingly aware of the ecology and importance of vernal pools, Colburn's book should be one that is readily available on the bookshelf of anyone interested in or working on a landscape with vernal pools. --Craig Anderson, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Natural Areas Journal, Vol. 26 (4), 2006)

The author spent more than 25 years studying vernal pools and other small wetland areas, and is a noted authority in the field. She has produced a highly needed volume which should be read by every aquatic biologist, herpetologist and anyone interested in our national environment. We highly recommend this interesting volume, and also commend the publisher for publishing this awesome book at such a reasonable price, making it readily available to anyone. --Harlan D. Walley and Theresa L. Wusterbarth, Dept of Biology, Northern Illinois University, for the Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society, March 2006

Edition details

• Publisher: McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0939923912
• ISBN 13: 9780939923915
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 426