| Vernal Pools Natural History and Conservation by
|
 |
Click
here to see sample pages
(Table of Contents, Color Plates 12 and 13, Chapter 1, Chapter 13, Chapter 14,
Appendix)
Please Note: These images were scanned from low-resolution proofs and do not represent the final printed quality of the
book.
DESCRIPTION
Vernal Pools is the 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 An extensive bibliography contains a vast listing of published literature, websites, and unpublished reports.
Vernal Pools is a well organized, substantive, readily accessible resource that will be greatly valued by hydrologists, biologists, naturalists, environmental educators, interpreters, resource managers, citizen scientists, and policy makers. The book presents detailed information about the ecology of vernal pools systems, and discusses important research, conservation, and policy needs for pools to be better understood, protected, and managed. The lengthy bibliography will be an indispensable asset to any reader, beginner or advanced, interested in locating sources of information about vernal pools.
Information in Vernal Pools has widespread applicability. As the author explains,
"Temporary pools are found worldwide.
Seasonally flooded habitats and their
faunas share many common features, whether they occur in
deserts, prairies
large river floodplains, alpine meadows, or temperate
forests. In this book I
concentrate on woodland vernal pools of the glaciated
northeastern third of
North America--'the glaciated northeast' (Figure 1)."
However,
"while the focus is on the glaciated
northeast, much of the information on
habitat characteristics and biota of northeastern vernal
pools applies to
temporary waters elsewhere. Physical features of temporary
pools are similar
along the Central Atlantic Coastal Plain, in northwestern
North America, in
the southeastern United States, and in Europe. Many of the
species of
amphibians and invertebrates found here range south through
the Mid-
Atlantic states to northern Florida and west to the
Mississippi River, and
closely related species occur farther west. In addition,
seasonal cycles and
life history adaptations seen in northeastern vernal pools
are paralleled in
prairie potholes, desert rainpools, Carolina Bays, and
snowmelt pools in
tundra regions of the far north and high altitudes."
And, regarding conservation issues,
"The problems facing vernal pools in
the glaciated northeast have parallels
elsewhere. The details differ from one geographic area to
another, but the
same fundamental conservation issues pertain to temporary
waters in
southern pine forests, prairies, montane meadows, bottomland
floodplains,
desert playas or canyons, or northeastern deciduous
woodlands, whether
they are in Australia, Europe, Africa, or North America.
Indeed, the conser-
vation of amphibians, reptiles, and macroinvertebrates that
need a habitat
mosaic of small, isolated breeding pools plus large areas of
upland is of
global interest. Temporary waters everywhere are threatened
by habitat
alteration or destruction, and by the introduction of species
that compete with
or prey on pool-dependent wildlife. Conservation
professionals worldwide
are working to identify effective ways to protect temporary
pools."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Elizabeth A. Colburn presently is Aquatic Ecologist at Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. Betsy's fascination with freshwater ecosystems developed during her childhood in eastern Massachusetts and was nurtured with her formal higher education at Brown University, Occidental College (B.A. in Biology), and The University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology). She has conducted research in Wisconsin, California, and especially New England. From 1983 to 2001, Betsy worked as Aquatic Ecologist for Massachusetts Audubon, during which time she studied and taught about the ecology and conservation of vernal pools and other freshwater ecosystems and advocated reforms in water quality and wetlands regulations. Betsy continues her wide ranging interest in water issues at Harvard Forest where, in addition to carrying out research, she participates in local, state, regional, and national forums involved with education, policy-making, management, and conservation as these efforts relate to freshwater life.
Click here for Speakers Bureau information on Dr. Colburn.
Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation:
- Is the first comprehensive, book-length synthesis of the natural
history, ecology, and conservation of vernal pools;Emphasizes the pools in and near the formerly glaciated regions
of northeastern North America, but also is a major source of
information about the nature and needs of pools in other regions;- Provides detailed yet readily accessible information about the
physical and biological content, structure, and function of vernal
pool ecosystems;- Addresses the conservation and research needs of vernal pools
within the broader context of the conservation of biodiversity and wetlands;- Contains a detailed glossary of technical terms;
- Contains a richly detailed appendix describing the distribution,
habitat preferences, and life histories of the fauna of vernal pools;- Contains an extensive bibliography on vernal pools.
The audience for this book is broad and includes:
- Environmental educators
- Interpreters
- Naturalists
- Water quality monitors and regulators
- Water resource managers
- Freshwater biologists and ecologists
- Landscape architects working with water bodies and systems
- Environmental consultants working with freshwater systems
The audience for this book is deep and includes:
REVIEWS
- The formal education system – junior high school through the university level;
- All natural history dealing with freshwater resources and ecosystems;
- Federal, state, and local agencies involved with monitoring,
managing, studying, or teaching about freshwater resources;- Citizen scientists and private businesses studying,
monitoring, managing, designing, protecting, or teaching
about freshwater ecosystems.
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, Collete 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
... the book provides a wealth of information wrapped up in a comprehensive, inch-thick text. This valuable reference should appeal to a variety of people: students and teachers, conservation commission members, town planners, foresters, biologists, and armchair naturalists alike.
--Steve Faccio, Reviewer, Northern Woodlands Magazine, Autumn 2005
Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation provides a summary of the ecology of vernal pools including detailed species accounts on the myriad invertebrates found in these water systems as well as the life strategies involved with an ecosystem that dries out annually. One of the most important chapters in this book deals with the conservation issues and threats to the vernal pool. In the world today one hears continually of the plight of the oceans, wetlands and various endangered species but the loss of any ecosystem is just as important and Elizabeth Colburn brings a voice to the current threats to vernal pools. Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation by Elizabeth A. Colburn will not only appeal to wetland ecologists but to anyone interested in the ecology of wetlands. It is a well written and thoroughly researched gem. --EcoBeetle, February 2005
... A compendium of superbly organized information about vernal pools and their habitats, and their role as freshwater resources and in the promotional support for biological diversity, Vernal Pools is a core addition to academic libraries, Environmental Studies reference collections, and especially recommended to the attention of land owners, conservationists, land-use policy makers, and environmental protection activists. --James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review, January 2005
I was impressed with the depth and scope of this expansive book about the ecology and conservation of vernal pools of the glaciated Northeast -- and the flora and fauna within them. Conservation biologists, environmental educators, naturalists, and just-plain aficionados of vernal pools will find Vernal Pools informative and valuable.
Chapter 1 defines the vernal pools of the glaciated northeast according to five general, but succinct, criteria….
The rest of the book expands on this definition, providing essential biotic and
abiotic characteristics and natural history of vernal pools, and does so with a
sense of respect and wonder for these small, unique wetlands.
Coburn
breaks new ground in Vernal Pools with her proposed hydrological
classification of vernal pools (Chapter 2 Hydrology).
Colburn’s amphibian chapter (11) is first rate. Chapter 11 and Chapter 14, “Protecting Vernal Pools,” emphasize the importance of the surrounding wooded uplands as well as vernal pool complexes to the successful breeding of these animals.
Chapter 13 “Energy Flow, Seasonal Cycles, and Variations in Community Composition” pulls together the dynamics of energy flow and trophic structure in vernal pools. Environmental educators will find this chapter a useful teaching tool, particularly Figure 39, which depicts the general food web in vernal pools.
One of the most astounding facts that Colburn reveals about vernal pools and seasonal ponds is their high biodiversity on a landscape or regional level. Colburn notes, “more than 550 species of multicellular animals have been reported from northeastern vernal pools. If animals that have been identified only to the family or generic level are included, the number exceeds 700.” Her appendix, an annotated list of the fauna of vernal pools and seasonal pools, runs 64 pages!
The strength of Vernal Pools lies in its ecological synthesis of the natural history of vernal pools and their inhabitants, and its message of conservation.
--Marsha C. Salett, Editor, Conservation Perspectives, Fall 2004
Other natural history and natural resources titles:
Pitcher Plants of the Americas
The Teeth of the Lion: The Story of the Beloved and Despised Dandelion
A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America
Forests in Peril: Tracking Deciduous Trees from Ice-Age Refuges into the Greenhouse World
A Handbook for Stream Enhancement and Stewardship
Field Guide to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (laminated pamphlet)
Handbook for Wetlands Conservation and Sustainability
Hands-on Save Our Streams: Science Projects Guide for Students
Restoring America's Streams (video)
SOS for America's Streams -- A Guide to Water Quality Management (video)
Wetlands Stewardship: A Call to Action (video)