Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Occurrences and Population Trends in Constructed and Natural Vernal Pools in Folsom, California

Macroinvertebrate populations from constructed and natural vernal pools on the same land forms and in close proximity, were compared quantitatively to determine colonization and temporal trends. Population trends in the natural pools were used to establish the functional success criteria for constructed pools. Success was evaluated by the quantitative and qualitative similarities of the constructed pool invertebrate populations to those of the natural pools. Most constructed pool invertebrate populations were found to mirror existing populations of vernal pool “obligate” species in natural vernal pools within two years. A combination of factors (i.e., over abundance of Glyceria sp., ponding depth, amount of organic matter in pool) may have contributed to the deviation of invertebrate populations in a few constructed vernal pools from those in natural pools. Quantitative and qualitative monitoring will continue for seven more years. CITATION. PAGES 224-235 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.