Vernal Pools of San Diego

Vernal pools are most threatened by lack of public awareness about their existence in San Diego. Effective vernal pool preservation requires a thorough understanding of the long term life cycles of vernal pool plants and animal species that thrive in the pools. Vernal pools are home to fairy shrimp, spade foot toads, coyote thistle, annual hair grass, and wooly marble which may go unseen year after year until the right amount of rain fall triggers their remarkable appearance, in shallow pools and after the pool dries up, for a brief period in spring and early summer. Learn about the fascinating life of vernal pools and how to protect them.

[@JBtheExplorer]

I love vernal pools. They've got so many cool things to see.

[@robertcalamusso4218]

Thanks. Great.

[@uphamtimothy]

One thing about vernal pools, is that they harbor a great deal of endemic plants, such as the San Diego mesa mint. Which is just found in vernal pools of the San Diego area. These plants will shut down during the day, and absorb carbon dioxide at night. With the stored carbon dioxide, they will perform their photosynthesis during the day, and convert sunlight into chemical energy.