MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Miramar is known for Marines and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In the environmental protection community it is also know for its vernal pools and endangered species.

“Beyond the requirements of federal law and policy, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has possibly the largest and least disturbed acreage of vernal pool landscape that remains in Southern California,” said David A. Boyer director, Natural Resources Division. “Loss of this landscape would rob future generations of the ability to see and understand this unique aspect of our ecosystem.  Looking at this from another perspective, if we don’t contribute, who will?”

A vernal pool is a contained basin depression lacking a permanent above ground outlet. Vernal pools go through a cycle of having water and drying out.

“Vernal pools are a regionally rare natural resource that still remain somewhat abundant on western MCAS Miramar,” said Boyer.

According to the NRD, these very unique wetlands may support one or more of six plant and invertebrate species listed as threatened or endangered in accordance with the federal Endangered Species Act.

“The Endangered Species Act requires that all federal agencies use their authorities to further the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species,” said Boyer.  “Additionally, by executive order and associated policy, we are to apply a ‘no net loss’ of wetlands philosophy to our actions on station.”

By conserving vernal pools, Miramar accomplishes both.

There are many plants and animals that are uniquely adapted to vernal pools.  What makes them unique is that they are able to exist in basin sediments through extremely dry periods, then hatch or germinate in and grow in ponded water, mature, and produce seed/eggs before soil moisture is gone in the summer.  This allows them to out-compete others that cannot grow in soil saturated with water or animals that cannot complete their aquatic life cycles in such short periods.

“The endangered San Diego Mesa Mint and San Diego Fairy Shrimp are good examples,” said Boyer. “The San Diego Fairy Shrimp, for example, can emerge from ‘cysts’, or dormant egg embryos, mature, breed, and produce viable eggs within 2-3 weeks under ideal circumstances.  There are other small aquatic invertebrates (animals without backbones) that live in vernal pools.” 

Beyond these, many larger animals use vernal pool habitats.  Spade-foot toads breed and lay eggs in vernal pool habitats.  Many waterfowl and shorebirds utilize vernal pool habitats as resting and feeding areas during the winter and spring migration periods where the aquatic invertebrates and plants provide a valuable food source to build energy and protein reserves. 
“Because vernal pools remain ponded well into the spring,” said Boyer, “they provide a valuable water source and subsequent green forage source to many wildlife species that allows them to live and forage over a broader area than would otherwise be the case.

The Marine Corps recognizes that many of its activities are largely compatible with resource conservation.  Where mission essential requirements necessitate impact to threatened and endangered resources, the Marine Corps undertakes efforts to minimize and compensate for such losses.

According to www.fws.gov Ken Berg, field supervisor at the Service’s Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office remarked, “These pools are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States, with more than 90 percent eliminated in Southern California.”

Then director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Region Michael Spear said, “Healthy wildlife translates into a healthy environment, and that’s good news for people as well as animals.”