Patterns of Vernal Pool Biodiversity at Beale Air Force Base
نویسنده
چکیده
The effects of substrate geomorphic surface and physical vernal pool dimensions on plant species richness and composition, and large branchiopod occurrences were investigated for 814 vernal pools at Beale Air Force Base, Yuba County, California. Vernal pools mostly occurred on four geomorphic surfaces: the Mehrten, Laguna, Riverbank, and Modesto Formations. Plant species richness was positively correlated to vernal pool depth and surface area, but did not vary among geomorphic surfaces. Plant species composition differed significantly among geomorphic surfaces, although much overlap in species composition among surfaces was apparent. Depth and surface area strongly affected vernal pool plant species composition. Two rare plant species were found: Downingia pusilla and Legenere limosa. Active Branchinecta lynchi (Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp) were found in 16.1% of pools and eggs in 15.8%. Occurrence of eggs was a poor predictor of occurrence of active specimens. Branchinecta lynchi egg or active specimen occurrences did not differ significantly among geomorphic surfaces. The frequency of occurrence of active Lepidurus packardi (Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp) specimens was 2.8%. Active L. packardi were found only in Modesto and Riverbank Formation pools. Active Linderiella occidentalis (California Linderiella) were found in 22.7% of vernal pools, but eggs were retrieved from 7 pools (1%) only. Linderiella occidentalis occurrence differed significantly among geomorphic surfaces. Frequency of occurrence of active fairy shrimp increased significantly with pool depth. Branchinecta lynchi egg occurrence also increased significantly with pool depth. Species differed in their response to pool surface area. The ecological relationships found in this study can help in designing a conservation strategy for biological diversity in the vernal pool landscape at Beale Air Force Base and in other Sacramento Valley areas. CITATION. Pages 151-160 in: C.W. Witham, E.T. Bauder, D. Belk, W.R. Ferren Jr., and R. Ornduff (Editors). Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Vernal Pool Ecosystems – Proceedings from a 1996 Conference. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. 1998.
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