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Subsequent botanical surveys will be made to determine the success of vernal pool plant <br /> enhancement. The relative merits of passive recruitment versus active transplantation of <br /> seed bank materials also will be investigated. <br /> Control of undesirable plants may be attempted. Deepening pools to create more anaerobic <br /> conditions should prove effective in eliminating exotics. If deepening the vernal pool areas <br /> proves to be an ineffective control method, then alternative means, such as manual <br /> removal, hoeing,or localized applications of a nonselective,post-emergent herbicide such <br /> as Rodeo,may be attempted late in season after vernal pool species have gone to seed. <br /> Special precaution must be taken not to spray native species, such as dwarf peppergrass. <br /> Benefits to Wildlife <br /> Vernal pools and seasonal swales offer forage for geese and widgeon, and when flooded, <br /> provide seed, insects, spiders and earthworms for many species of birds. Compared to <br /> deeper seasonal marshes (natural and managed),vernal pools are not considered high <br /> quality habitat for most migratory water birds because their small pool size makes the birds <br /> relatively vulnerable to predators (Jones& Stokes, 1991). However, these sites are <br /> important for certain migratory shore birds, such as stilts and American avocets, which <br /> nest in nearby areas. These species are expected to forage in these pools. The pools are <br /> potentially important for cinnamon teal that might attempt to nest near larger,more <br /> permanent water pools. Finally, numerous resident species of wildlife will make use of <br /> vernal pools. <br /> Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) <br /> 201 <br />