Nature: It's that time of year again!

Spring is springing, and that means it's time for the vernal pools!

Vernal pools are shallow depressions which become filled with water during the winter months, and dry out during the summer months.

Vernal pools are unique ecosystems of their own, upon which some species - for example, fairy shrimp - are dependent for all or part of their life cycle. These tiny filter-feeders are uniquely adapted to this environment. For one, the pool provides them an ecosystem that is free from fish predation. For another, the fairy shrimp grows quickly, and its cysts can remain dormant as the pool dries out; the cysts hatch when the vernal pool refills. However, it is not unknown for fairy shrimp to last for decades.

The Vernal Pool Association is a good site for learning about vernal pools.