Vernal+Pool+Fairy+Shrimp-Solen+Kebede

 = = The Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (//Branchinecta lynch) // 

 

 //Location or Habitat: the vernal pool fairy shrimp is presently found in wetlands in the states of Oregon and Californian. There is no historic date concerning the Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp so only the present habitat is known. They live in wetlands but more specifically in vernal pools. // 

Niche (role of organism): Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp have very short lives; the adults usually live for only one season. Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp are about one inch in length and defenseless so they usually live in small ponds were there are no predators. There predators are aquatic vertebrate. Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp swim on their backs using 11 pairs of swimming legs. The average vernal pool Fairy Shrimp takes about 41 days before it matures and can reproduce. Towards the end of their lives female vernal pool fairy shrimp lay eggs that are also know as cysts this occurs near the end of spring. Cysts do not hatch till the rain comes in the fall. Their diet consists of algae and plankton. 

//Reason for endangerment: due to the development of urban, suburban, and agricultural projects there has been a destruction of vernal pools leading to a decrease in Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp. As of September 1994 the vernal pool fairy was enlisted as endangered. The present day world-wide population is unknown. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was a law passed in 1973 by congress with a purpose of protecting and vindicating endangered species. According to this law a spices is considered endangered if it is in danger of extinction. It is considered a threatened species if it is likely to become endangered within a foreseeable future. // 

//Conservation Efforts: There are federal, states and local plans being developed to conserve wetlands. These plans will regulate where developments can occur and where they cannot. This is done to ensure the continuation of the habitats of vernal pool fairy shrimp. Both organizations like the Nature Conservancy and federal agencies are diligently working to preserve wetlands in the midst of rapid growth and development. But as of right now most of the conservation efforts are in beginning stages and it is too early to say if they are effective or not. //  

Works Cited Colburn, Elizabeth A. //Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation//. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Denemark, Eric. “Branchinecta lynchi, Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp.” //Insect Conservation Biology//. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2009. Eriksen, Clyde, and Dento Belk. //U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service//. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2009. “Vernal pool fairy shrimp.” //Oregon fish and wildlife service//. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2009. 