This is an Earth Cache. There is no physical cache at this location. Simply visit the location, answer the questions and post a photo from ground zero
Logging Requirements:
1) What stage or cycle was this pond in when you visited? (Was there water or was it dry) If there was water, how deep do you estimate the water to be and explain how you came to your estimate. If it's dry, look at the soil that makes up the bottom of the pond when it is filled with water. Describe what the soil. How does this help with the cycle of the vernal pond. Please explain how you came to this conclusion. (You only need to do one of these measurements, either the water measurement or the soil description.)
2) In your opinion, what type of season is this pond experiencing? (For example, is it experiencing a typical season, a drought, or an excessively wet season) Please explain why you think this based on what you can visibly see.
3) Post a picture of yourself (face not required) or a personal item at the Vernal Pool.
LOCATION:
This Earth Cache is in the Heritage Village May Woods. I was hiking these woods when I came across this Vernal Pool and realized it is Earth Cache worthy. These woods and this vernal pool is under the control by the Mackinaw Area Historical Society (MAHS.) They have given me permission to place this Earth Cache here. When I contacted the MAHS they were excited to have this Earth Cache to promote their Vernal Pool. There are maintained and marked trails so enjoy your sort hike to Ground Zero.
Vernal Pools: "Wicked Big Puddles” or “Coral Reefs of Northeastern Forests”
If you have spent time exploring Michigan’s forests in the spring, you may have come across small, shallow pools of water scattered throughout the landscape. These small wetlands are called vernal pools because they are typically filled with water in the spring (“vernal” means spring) but they usually dry up and “disappear” during the summer. Vernal pools are special types of wetlands. Because they regularly dry up and are usually isolated from other wetlands and waterbodies, vernal pools cannot support permanent fish populations. Due to the lack of fish predators, vernal pools provide critical habitat for certain animal species that rely on these fishless habitats for their survival and/or reproduction. These include a number of invertebrate and amphibian species, such as fairy shrimp, wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and blue-spotted salamanders. Vernal pools also provide habitat for many other animal and plant species, including rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Vernal pools play an important role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. Because they provide habitat for diverse and unique animal species and provide other important ecological functions, some have referred to vernal pools as the “coral reefs of Northeastern forests.” However, these vernal pools are vulnerable to a number of threats and are not well-protected under current wetland laws and regulations.
Physical Characteristics
Vernal pools are highly variable and come in many shapes and sizes.
Pool Size
Vernal pools are typically small and shallow. They are generally less than 2.5 acres, with most less than 0.25 acre, in surface area. Most vernal pools are 3 feet deep or less, but some pools can be deeper. Vernal pools generally reach their maximum size and water level in the spring. There are currently no lower or upper size limits to vernal pools. They just need to be large (or small) enough to remain flooded for at least two months but also dry frequently enough (e.g., annually or every few years) to prevent permanent fish populations from establishing and provide suitable habitat for animal species that are characteristic of vernal pools.
Isolation
Vernal pools often occur in upland forests and are geographically isolated from other wetlands or waterbodies. However, some vernal pools occur next to each other, forming complexes of vernal pools. Some vernal pools are part of larger wetlands, or are connected to other wetlands or waterbodies by groundwater. Some vernal pools are fed and/or drained by temporary streams. Vernal pools that occur along river floodplains can become connected to the river during flood events. But vernal pools are not continuously connected to permanent waterbodies during most of their biologically active season at least on the surface. This helps them remain fishless. Vernal pools can be biologically connected though to other pools, wetlands, and permanent waters through the dispersal of animals and plants.
Hydrology
A defining characteristic of vernal pools is that they are temporarily flooded. According to the working definition of vernal pools adopted by the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership, vernal pools have a "fluctuating water regime with alternating periods of flooding and drying". A typical vernal pool will fill with water in the spring from rain, snow melt, and some groundwater influence. Pools dry at different rates due to factors like depth, canopy cover, etc but will usually draw down totally or significantly throughout the summer. Pools can also can fill in the fall or winter but must have water in the spring to be considered a vernal pool. They typically hold water for minimum of two months in most years. However, some vernal pools are semi-permanent, and may only dry in some years (e.g., 3 out of every 5 years).
Source Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership
Further reading at: https://www.mivernalpools.com/index.html
Thanks sgerbs for all the help!!!