True or False: A vernal pool may be dry in the summer.

A vernal pool may indeed be dry in the summer, making the statement true. Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that typically form in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. They are characterized by their seasonal nature, often drying up during the warmer months. This drying is a crucial aspect of their ecology, as it provides a unique habitat for various species, particularly amphibians and certain invertebrates, that depend on the pool for breeding.

The fact that these pools are ephemeral allows them to be free of many predators and competitors that thrive in permanent bodies of water, fostering a distinct biological community. Understanding this seasonal pattern is important for conservation efforts, as preserving vernal pools ensures the survival of the specialized flora and fauna that depend on these transient ecosystems. The other options do not accurately represent the nature of vernal pools, which are specifically defined by their temporary existence.