Ecosystem Functions of Vernal Pool Landscapes In Southern New England.

This study was undertaken to establish the “value” of vernal pools. While there have been studies done establishing the breeding habitat of vernal pools, their ecosystem services have not been assessed. It is hypothesized that vernal pools provide both regulating and supporting services in that they sequester carbon (carbon banking) and remove nutrients (nitrate). To determine the validity of this hypothesis transects of three stations were established across the pool topo sequence within triplicate vernal pools located in four different parent materials. Stations locations are summit (upland from high water level), rim (edge of pool at the high water level), and basin (center of pool).  Soil profile descriptions were detailed for each transect position with samples taken for particle size analysis and organic matter content. Reducing conditions have been assessed by the installation of redox probes in triplicate at 15-, 30-, and 45-cm depths.  Monitoring wells at each station have established the depth of free water and a pair of nested piezometers at the rim station has been used to asses the vertical hydrologic flow for each pool. Organic matter content was determined by Loss on Ignition. Representative samples were also analyzed with an automated total carbon analyzer to determine the amount of inorganic carbon present. Denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) has been measured by the acetylene blockage method with resulting nitrous oxide analyzed using a Shimatzu GC 2014 gas chromatograph.