 Introduction
Discover the diversity of native plant and animal life, including
the federally protected fairy shrimp, present in vernal (seasonal)
pools, and learn how the geology of an area contributes to the formation
of these pools.
Students are introduced to vernal pools. These seasonal pools contain
plants and animals from winter through spring, and then dry up in
summer. Oregon's vernal pools contain rare plants and a federally
listed threatened animal, the fairy shrimp.
Length: 10:33 Grade level: 4-7
Teaching Objectives
The "Tiny Creatures: Fairy Shrimp in Vernal Pools" video
program and curriculum guide provide opportunities for students
to learn:
- Vernal pools are seasonal and contain only plants and small
animals that have adapted to this unique environment.
- Vernal pools form above impermeable geologic layers.
Web Resources
Print Resources
About Fairy Shrimp and Vernal Pools:
Witham, Carol. Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Vernal
Pool Ecosystems: Proceedings From a 1996 Conference. California
Native Plant Society, 1998.
About Insects:
Baker, Wendy and Andrew Haslam. Insects. Thomson Learning,
1993.
Borror, Donald J. and Richard E. White. A Field Guide to Insects.
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1970.
Callahan, Philip S. Insects and How They Function. Holiday
House, 1971.
Facklam, Howard and Margery. Insects. Twenty-First Century
Books, 1994.
Greenaway, Theresa. Insects. St. Martin's Press, 2000.
Preston-Mafham, Rod and Ken Preston-Mafham. The Natural History
of Insects. The Crowood Press, 1996.
Souza, D. M. Insects Around the House. Carolrhoda Books,
Inc., 1991.
Souza, D. M. Insects in the Garden. Carolrhoda Books, Inc.,
1991.
Wilsdon, Christina. First Field Guide Insects. Scholastic,
Inc., 1998.
Wilson, Edward O. The Insect Societies. The Belknap Press
of Harvard University Press, 1971.
Glossary
 biologist:
scientist specializing in the study of plants and animals
crustacean: any of a large class of mostly aquatic mandibulate
arthropods
dytiscid beetles: top predator in the vernal pool, which
preys on fairy shrimp and other animals
ecosystem: complex of a community of organisms and its environment
functioning as an ecological unit
environment: the complex of physical, chemical and biotic
factors that act upon an organism
hardpan: cemented or compacted layer of soil that is impenetrable
by roots and is hard for water to pass through
ostrocods: crustaceans commonly called seed shrimp
parthenogenesis: reproduction by development of an unfertilized,
usually female, gamete that occurs especially among lower plants
and invertebrate animals
tubolarians: flatworms found in vernal pools
vernal: relating to, or occurring in, the spring
zignema: pond scum
 Activities
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