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FRY FARM IN RICHFIELD, OHIO
HABITAT 6
EPHEMERAL POND
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Blocked Tile under Interstate 271 |
Ephemeral pond in August, 2014 |
Ephemeral ponds arise in poorly drained areas during rainy periods, particulary during the spring. It appears that amphibians use ephemeral habitats primarily for breeding. The life-span of these habitats are thus less important than timing on the part of the amphibian species that use them. 1) The ephemeral pond on the Fry Farm lies in a low-lying area on the South line of the farm bordering Interstate 271. Natural drainiage was blocked by a fill for I-271, but was alleviated by a large tile under the interstate. That tile is now broken or blocked. |
The blockage is probably the result of constructing a crossing sewage line from rest areas to the West, to a main sewer line along Brecksville Road to the East. |
The result of the blockage is flooding every Spring. From a real estate development point of view, it would be good to open the blockage to achieve adequate drainage. But retaining the blockage provides one of the varied amphibian habitats for the farm. Ephemeral ponds are generally good habitats for a wide variety of amphibians, including Four-toed Salamanders 2) and most species of frogs and toads in Ohio. 3) To date, known amphibian species in this habitat on the Fry Farm include the American Toad. |
1. "Amphibians of Ohio," Ohio Biological Survey, Inc. (2013) p. 39. |
2. "Amphibians of Ohio," pp. 41, 320. |
3. "Amphibians of Ohio," p. 41. |