What is a Vernal
Pool? |
| Still a young child in some ways, the Wheaton
College Vernal Pool Research Team has matured a great deal since
its creation in the spring of 1994. This team started with the
study of a vernal pool south of the Wheaton College Science Center
by Heidi Preston(class of 1995) during her junior year. The vernal
pool was subsequently certified by the Natural Heritage and Endangered
Species Program and protected under the Massachusetts Surface
Water Quality Standards from discharges of fill, storm water
and other substances(Colburn, 1995). |
|
Salamander
Population |
Certification
of Vernal Pools |
| Today the team has grown to nearly
a dozen students under the guidance of professors Kathleen Morgan
and Scott Shumway. There are currently four projects in progress.
One is a long term study of spotted
salamander population dynamics. Another study focuses on
the genetic diversity of these salamanders.
The other two projects involve a study of invertebrates
in the same pool and a project aimed at certifying
potential vernal pools in the surrounding town of Norton.
We invite you to visit the other parts of our website to learn
more about these projects. |
|
Salamander
Genetics |
Invertebrates |
| If you would like to join our wonderful team
or to even help out once in a while, please feel free to contact
one of the faculty members or student principle investigators
(PIs) involved with the team. |
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