Stewardship Plan - the Town of Dennis

occasionally found on the boundaries with water willow the only species that occurs in the
deeper water around the pond margins. DCT and DNR staff will conduct a baseline survey of
Cole’s pond as time allows in the future.
Wetlands and Vernal Pools
Vernal Pools are unique wildlife habitats known for the amphibians and invertebrate animals
that use them to breed. These pools typically fill with water in the fall or winter season due to
rainwater and rising groundwater, and remain saturated through the spring and early summer.
Vernal pools typically dry out at the end of summer each year. This drying out period is
important for the purpose of limiting fish populations which prey on the amphibian and
invertebrate species that rely on these habitats for breeding success.
Some vernal pools are protected by the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act regulations.
The Massachusetts Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP) serves to
officially “certify” vernal pools that are documented by citizens, researchers and other parties.
Located primarily behind the barrier beach surrounded by upland forest, the CPCA wetlands
serve as important breeding habitat for a variety of amphibian species that call the CPCA
home. Although six areas in the CPCA have been previously identified and mapped as
potential vernal pools by the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, their Rapid Ecological
Assessment Team found that most areas in the CPCA did not fit the definition of a classic
vernal pool. Based on their survey, only one of the potential vernal pools (PVP) as well as two
areas not mapped by the Division, are considered as likely vernal pools. Other areas of the site
(shrub swamps, shallow emergent marsh, kettlehole level bog) might contain depressions that
meet the technical definition of vernal pool habitat. Those areas that were considered likely
vernal pools had clearly defined basin depressions and were not permanently flooded. Surveys
were not conducted during the breeding season for typical vernal pool breeding amphibians.
These seasonally wet areas will continue to be monitored for the presence of Vernal Pool
Species. Potential species could include Fowlers Toad, Spadefoot Toad, or even a Spotted
Salamander, all of which have threatened status within the State. The remoteness of the
vernal pools limits impacts by vehicle and human traffic, to the advantage of the species found
in the area.
Monitoring these areas will be a priority in the springtime, with the goal of identifying organisms
to promote biodiversity in the conservation area.
B. Biological Resources
Geology
Soils information for Crowes Pasture was updated in September 2002 as part of the
Environmental Review Team Study completed by The Pilgrim Resource Conservation and
Development (RC&D) Area Council. The completed study provided information on soil
mapping, soil descriptions, and soil limitations for development and wildlife habitat. The site
specific information collected by the ERT provides more detailed information than that provided
in the 1993 Soil Survey of Barnstable County which gathered soils data with mapping
limitations measuring 5-8 acres in size.