A WORLD IN A PUDDLE
For years I walked the trails of Carmel Mountain never realizing that the puddles I walked around were the precious vernal pools that I had heard so much about. It is estimated that 97% of the vernal pools in San Diego have been destroyed, mostly due to construction. Even now, some of the remaining areas with vernal pools are slated for development, though the presence of endangered fairy shrimp, Branchinecta sandiegonensis, requires mitigation before habitat can be destroyed. What responsibility do we have to the creatures whose survival is dependent on vernal pool habitat? During studies of vernal pools in Northern California, scientists found that almost half of the crustacean species found had never before been described. How many species have disappeared before we ever knew of their existence?
Sketchbook pages of the progression of one of vernal pools at Carmel Mountain during March and April, 2006. Pages created 2011. These images and others have also been configured as wall installations with text and drawings.
For more see The World in a Puddle website, which documents the progression of life in several ponds over the course of the rainy season in 2006.