The Spring Seekers Introduction

 Spring Seekers — A Citizen Science Initiative for the Southern Appalachians

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains, nestled among ridges and hollows, lies a mosaic of ephemeral wetlands known as *vernal pools*. These temporary aquatic habitats appear in the spring and early summer, fed by snowmelt, rainfall, and rising groundwater. Often overlooked due to their fleeting nature, vernal pools play an outsized role in maintaining regional biodiversity and ecological balance. They serve as critical breeding grounds for amphibians, invertebrates, and plants uniquely adapted to these short-lived aquatic environments. In Boone, North Carolina, and the surrounding counties of Watauga and Avery, these pools are an integral part of the Southern Appalachian ecosystem.

What are Vernal Pools?

Vernal pools—sometimes referred to as ephemeral pools, seasonal wetlands, or temporary ponds—are shallow, depressional wetlands that hold water for part of the year, typically filling during the late winter and spring and drying out by late summer or early fall. Because they do not usually support permanent fish populations, vernal pools provide a predator-free environment that is ideal for the reproduction of amphibians such as wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum).

These pools are also home to an array of invertebrate species, including fairy shrimp, caddisflies, fingernail clams, and aquatic beetles. Many of these species are obligate to vernal pools—meaning they require this specific habitat to complete their life cycles. In addition, vernal pools support a variety of wetland plants that have evolved to take advantage of the brief growing season and moist soil conditions.

In the Appalachian region, vernal pools are shaped by unique geologic and topographic conditions. They may form in shallow bedrock depressions, between ridgelines, in old road ruts, or in natural clearings within deciduous forests. Their presence depends on elevation, rainfall patterns, soil composition, and forest cover. These pools are sensitive to even subtle changes in hydrology, land use, and climate—making them both ecologically vulnerable and scientifically significant indicators of environmental change.

Why Monitor Vernal Pools?

Because of their transitory nature, vernal pools are often overlooked by traditional wetland mapping and management efforts. They may not appear on satellite imagery or in hydrologic surveys, and they are rarely delineated as jurisdictional wetlands under federal and state protections. This makes them particularly vulnerable to destruction or degradation from development, timber harvesting, invasive species, or stormwater runoff.

In addition, changes in the timing and intensity of precipitation, increasing temperatures, and altered land use patterns can reduce the hydroperiod of vernal pools—the length of time they remain filled with water—thereby disrupting the life cycles of species that depend on them. Without long-term monitoring, it is difficult to detect these shifts or to intervene effectively in their conservation.

What is the Role of Citizen Scientists?

Anyone with curiosity and commitment can become a citizen scientist. Spring Seekers provides training, tools, and support for volunteers to identify, observe, and document vernal pool habitats throughout the year. Using standardized protocols developed in collaboration with regional herpetologists, wetland ecologists, and conservation biologists, participants learn to:

-Locate and map vernal pools using GPS and mobile apps

-Measure basic environmental parameters such as water depth, temperature, and clarity

-Identify indicator species such as egg masses, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates

-Record phenological events (e.g., first frog calls, salamander migrations, drying dates)

-Submit data through user-friendly platforms such as iNaturalist, HerpMapper, and custom web portals

Volunteers may choose to “adopt” a local pool and visit it multiple times each year, or they can simply tag along with others who monitor the pools. 

What Are Our Goals and Vision?

The Spring Seekers Program is more than a data collection effort—it is a community-based approach to conservation that prioritizes education, engagement, and action. Its primary goals include:

-Building a regional inventory of vernal pool locations, types, and ecological characteristics

-Tracking changes over time in pool hydroperiods, species composition, and habitat condition

-Engaging and educating citizens of all ages in the science and importance of temporary wetlands

-Providing data to inform conservation planning at the local and regional levels

-Cultivating a culture of stewardship that supports long-term care for these fragile ecosystems

By connecting people to place, the Spring Seekers Program aspires to cultivate a sense of wonder, responsibility, and agency. In the face of global environmental change, the protection of small, seasonal wetlands might seem like a modest goal—but it is precisely these local acts of attention and care that build resilience in both ecosystems and communities.

Please contact biglera@lmc.edu for more information and volunteer opportunities