Research
Vernal Pool Ecology
Organisms that depend on vernal pools are vulnerable to direct and indirect impacts resulting from land development mostly because they often are not detected by field surveys during the wrong seasonal conditions and because current wetland regulations do not protect vernal pools if they are not within a jurisdictional wetland resource area. Oxbow has been involved with data collection for certifying many vernal pools throughout Massachusetts and we have also been involved with designing and monitoring a constructed vernal pool where we translocated amphibians and insects to establish a vernal pool community and monitor use of the pool and surrounding habitat using drift fences. The results of our research has given us the ability to work with developers to design projects approved by MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program because the design incorporated appropriate mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts to rare salamanders and/or invertebrates found in some vernal pools.
Vernal Pool Ecology
Organisms that depend on vernal pools are vulnerable to direct and indirect impacts resulting from land development mostly because they often are not detected by field surveys during the wrong seasonal conditions and because current wetland regulations do not protect vernal pools if they are not within a jurisdictional wetland resource area. Oxbow has been involved with data collection for certifying many vernal pools throughout Massachusetts and we have also been involved with designing and monitoring a constructed vernal pool where we translocated amphibians and insects to establish a vernal pool community and monitor use of the pool and surrounding habitat using drift fences. The results of our research has given us the ability to work with developers to design projects approved by MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program because the design incorporated appropriate mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts to rare salamanders and/or invertebrates found in some vernal pools.
Preserving Turtle Habitat within a Developing Landscape
Oxbow has been studying freshwater and terrestrial turtles in New England for many years because we believe turtles are fascinating creatures. Many of the turtles we have studied over the years require a diverse mosaic of habitat including a mix of deep permanent marshes, vernal pools, upland woods, and open uplands for nesting. The variety of habitat required by some of the state-listed rare turtles is an important variable to consider when planning development near any rare turtle habitat. Since Oxbow has been using radio-telemetry to track turtles for over two decades, we have an understanding of where, when and why certain species use specific habitat features. Many of our recent projects have incorporated mitigation nesting habitat to increase the potential nesting habitat in a given area. The data we are now collecting will be extremely valuable to determine even better methods for creating mitigation nesting sites.
Oxbow has been studying freshwater and terrestrial turtles in New England for many years because we believe turtles are fascinating creatures. Many of the turtles we have studied over the years require a diverse mosaic of habitat including a mix of deep permanent marshes, vernal pools, upland woods, and open uplands for nesting. The variety of habitat required by some of the state-listed rare turtles is an important variable to consider when planning development near any rare turtle habitat. Since Oxbow has been using radio-telemetry to track turtles for over two decades, we have an understanding of where, when and why certain species use specific habitat features. Many of our recent projects have incorporated mitigation nesting habitat to increase the potential nesting habitat in a given area. The data we are now collecting will be extremely valuable to determine even better methods for creating mitigation nesting sites.