Ephemeral Ponds

Seasonal habitat for wildlife

Ephemeral ponds, also called vernal pools, aren’t what most people think of when they think of wetlands. These temporary ponds are, however, some of the most important wetlands for a variety of wildlife. They fill in the spring from snowmelt and rain, and slowly dry up as the summer heat arrives. They are usually shaded by surrounding forest cover which slows the water’s evaporation.

These wetlands flourish with productivity during their brief existence. Ephemeral ponds provide critical breeding habitat for many invertebrates and amphibians, such as wood frogs, spring peepers, toads, tree frogs, green frogs, and several salamander species. These ponds lack the fish that would typically prey on their egg masses and tadpoles. By late spring or early summer, tens of thousands of young salamanders and frogs that have undergone metamorphosis leave the shrinking ponds for the forest to continue their life cycles.

The boardwalk at Beaver Hollow allows you to view these pools without disturbing any developing eggs or tadpoles. You can help protect these special seasonal habitats by carefully walking around any that you encounter on your walks through the woods.