Vernal pools have completely dried out and most of the plant and animal species have either disappeared into the soils or set seed and died. Vernal pools are considered an important natural resources in California and worldwide. Part of Our Rich California Heritage . Vernal pools are often in areas where livestock has been grazed for many decades. California ranchers and vernal pool have coexisted for centuries, with several generations of ranchers both utilizing and appreciating the beauty and values of vernal pools in the landscape.
Light grazing appears to maintain species diversity in vernal pools.
Historical Use by Native Americans. Many clusters of ancient stone food processing implements have been discovered at locations that correspond with present-day vernal pool complexes. We now believe that Native Americans utilized vernal pools in several ways. In late winter, Native Americans no doubt welcomed the arrival of the first green vegetable sprouts around vernal pools, since they had been surviving almost exclusively on deer jerky and acorn mush for a few months. Digging sticks made of schist were used to uncover the fleshy roots of coyote thistle, a species that is related to the domestic carrot.