MassGIS 2003 Massachusetts NHESP Certified Vernal Pools (June 1999)

The 1999-2001 version of the datalayer shows all pools that were certified as of June 30, 1999. Vernal pools are small, shallow ponds characterized by lack of fish and by periods of dryness.

Vernal pool habitat is extremely important to a variety of wildlife species including some amphibians that breed exclusively in vernal pools, and other organi sms such as fairy shrimp which spend their entire life cycles confined to vernal pool habitat. Many additional wildlife species utilize vernal pools for breeding, feeding and other important functions. Certified vernal pools are protected if they fall under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00).