Imagine this. You’re walking along a trail in early spring and pass by a small body of water, somewhere in between a puddle and a pond. You enjoy the view of this seemingly quiet body of water, and then continue your walk.
What appears to many as a simple pond is actually an active ecosystem of wildlife beneath the surface. These ponds are called vernal pools, and they play a significant role in the makeup of the California wildlife biology landscape.
Scott Whitman, a recent graduate from the Sacramento State master’s program in biological sciences, dedicated his research to the study of these vernal pools and their impact on its wildlife. Specifically, Whitman studied tadpole shrimp and the tiger salamander, and the influence of their coexistence in these pools.
Whitman’s interest in this area stemmed from his work and internship experiences, where he was able to test the waters and narrow down what he was and wasn’t interested in studying. His interest in vernal pools was confirmed after he began reading scientific papers on them for fun. From there, Whitman connected with Sacramento State biological sciences professor Jamie Kneitel who would become his mentor throughout his graduate program. Dr. Kneitel helped Whitman deep dive into his thesis research questions: Do tadpole shrimp and tiger salamanders exist in the same vernal pools, and does the presence or absence of one species have an impact on the growth trends in the other?
Many graduate students come up with a research question first, then the data collection follows. But Whitman already had access to a plethora of data on vernal pools while in an internship with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Not only did this play a significant role in kicking off his research, but it also allowed him to connect his work as an intern with his research as a graduate student in a meaningful way.
What exactly does graduate level research on vernal pools entail? For one thing, a lot of work in the field. Literally. Much of Whitman’s research included visits to 150 vernal pools throughout the state to study its ecosystem in action and collect samples. There are a few sampling techniques that Whitman used during his visits to the vernal pools. One method is to use handheld dip nets, which are run through the pools to collect a sample of its wildlife. Whitman also used side nets, which are much larger nets that span the width of the pool. These nets are attached to a pole on each side and require the use of two people to walk the poles the length of the pool, allowing the net to scoop a large array of wildlife. After collecting samples with the nets, Whitman would take measurements and record data on the wildlife before safely releasing everything back into the pool.
Whitman’s study of vernal pools has taught him the fascinating complexities of the wildlife the pools support. The time of year is significant to the life of the vernal pools. During the wet season, the pools fill up, allowing wildlife to eat, breed, and hatch in its waters. By the hot summer months, the pools dry out, only to return the following year. The wildlife who call vernal pools home have adapted to this lifecycle in incredible ways. For example, the tadpole shrimp can only survive in the vernal pools during the wet season when they are filled with water. However, although their lifespan is short, their eggs are impressively durable and can survive years of drought. These eggs remain buried in the ground and only hatch when the water of the vernal pool has returned.
Tiger salamanders on the other hand, have adapted to vernal pools in an entirely different way. These salamanders can sense when their vernal pool home is drying up for the season. In order to adapt to their changing environment, they morph their bodies by sprouting legs and lungs. By the time the pool completely dries, tiger salamanders are equipped to live on land. They move their elsewhere, usually grassland or another animal’s burrow, until the vernal pools come back again next year.
What implication does this research have on the community? Understanding these habitats lends a great hand to habitat conservation efforts. Knowing the impact of these pools on the environment as well as the endangered species that live in them also helps to inform developers and land use initiatives in development plans and policy decisions.
Whitman plans to continue his work supporting these efforts, and would like to eventually publish his work. He leaves Sacramento State students with a few words of advice on finding success in research and a career.
“Expose yourself to many things so you can narrow down what you like and don’t like. Pay attention to what you find interesting. If you’re interested in an area, look for ways to get involved. I had internships where I found I didn’t enjoy the work, which taught me just as much about what to try out next. It’s also important to feel like you have a point in doing what you’re doing and that you enjoy the field work. The reality for certain fields requires work that may or may not be enjoyable to some people, especially if the work involves being in hot temperatures or long days, for example. I like being in vernal pools and that environment, and that type of field work appeals to me as a career.”
Best of luck with your future research, Scott!
