Seasonal pools are unique wetland habitats because of their annual or semi-annual dry phase.  The dry phase of a seasonal pool is important because it prevents fish from becoming established.  Other animals with an aquatic stage to their life cycle, including the mole salamanders, have evolved to use these temporary aquatic habitats. 

Although there are obvious challenges to overcome when using an aquatic environment that disappears for part of the year, the benefit is a habitat free of fish, which are top predators in permanent aquatic habitats such as ponds, streams and lakes.

Seasonal pools support wildlife that would not be able to survive without these pools.  Animals that require seasonal pool habitats to survive and reproduce are called seasonal pool indicator species.  The three common mole salamanders of Pennsylvania, the spotted, marbled, and Jefferson’s salamanders, are all seasonal pool indicator species. Other indicators include the wood frog, eastern spadefoot, and fairy shrimp.  Seasonal pool indicators have evolved a variety of strategies to survive the periodic drying of these pools.  Please refer to the ###LINK field guide ### for a description of Pennsylvania’s seasonal pool obligate species.

Indicator Species

Seasonal pool indicators are species strongly associated with seasonal pools.  The adults normally breed in seasonal pools and their offspring have higher survival rates in this habitat.