Kerman Vernal Pools

With the agricultural development of the Central Valley much of the original vegetation and topography has disappeared. In this area, a few kilometers west of Kerman, there remains some of the low, gently rolling ground interspersed with vernal pools of a mildly alkaline aspect.

Vegetation includes both grassland species on the higher ground, such as Myosurus minimus, Sibara virginica, Sesuvium verrucosum, and alkaline-tolerant species in the lower areas, Delphinium recurvatum, Hutchinsia procumbens, Lepidium dictyotum and Plantago elongata.

This is also the habitat of the rare Fresno kangaroo rat, Dipodomys nitratoides exilis.

Integrity: Relatively undisturbed, but as it is surrounded by agricultural lands it, too, may be converted.

Use: Private

Ref: Hoffman, W. M. 1973. The Fresno Kangaroo Rat Study. Calif. Dept. Fish & Game, Sacramento, 26 pp.

November 1975