What are Coastal Plain Ponds?
Coastal plain ponds are topographic depressions that contain groundwater, and have gently sloping shorelines. The surface of the water in these ponds, which is an expression of the water table, rises and falls with the seasons, and with long term variations in precipitation. The water in coastal plain ponds is acidic and low in nutrients. The Calverton Ponds, are located within the Long Island Pine Barrens where the soil is porous and sandy, with quartz being the predominant mineral. The rise and fall of water in these ponds is an important factor in supporting a community of rare plants and animals there. These species occur within concentric zones that reflect varying tolerances to flooding and drying. The zone with the highest concentation of rare plants is the sandy exposed pond bottom, which becomes exposed during moderately dry periods. During more extended droughts, the organic exposed pond bottom is exposed to air. This zone also supports some rare species of plants.
