Toward an Ecosystem Approach to Vernal Pool Compensation and Conservation

Current federal regulatory limitations in protecting vernal pools can be attributed to incomplete data on the status of vernal pools statewide, lack of a methodology for assessing the functions of vernal pool ecosystems, failure to incorporate contemporary ecological principles into the development of compensatory mitigation strategies, and a piecemeal regulatory approach that results in administrative inconsistencies and uncertainty for the regulated community. This paper presents an ecologically-based compensatory mitigation rationale and strategy to maintain and restore the functional integrity of vernal pool wetland ecosystems. Our recommendations for an ecologically-based mitigation strategy that can be incorporated into the existing regulatory framework include development of: 1) a scientifically sound classification and assessment of vernal pools statewide; 2) compensation strategies that take a landscape perspective and attempt to protect vernal pool complexes within an ecosystem context rather than as isolated fragments unrelated to larger landscapes; 3) a methodology to assess the functions of vernal pools; and 4) a prioritization methodology to protect the functional integrity of vernal pool ecosystems over their natural range of ecological variability. We present a conceptual ecosystem approach hierarchy for use in assessing vernal pool compensation options. CITATION. Pages 263-273 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.