Many woodland ponds are temporary bodies of water referred to as vernal or ephemeral ponds that when filled with water are inhabited by distinctive organisms. They typically lack fish, which allows for the development of a number of amphibians, insects, and protozoan species. I have photographed and filmed life in woodland ponds in Yellowwood Forest for the past dozen years. This presentation will cover how fallen leaves (photosynthesis) fuel life in the ponds and discuss the biology of the diverse, and to us exotic life forms, eke out a living in the pond ecosystem. I will also discuss how human activities threaten the woodland pond ecosystems and also how they contribute to the resilience of the larger woodland ecosystem they are part of.  

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Part of the series, “An Exploration of Biological Resilience”