The isolation of seasonal pools due to the lack of permanent surface water connections to other water bodies and their periodic drying keep them free from populations of predatory fish. This environment is important to the breeding success of amphibian species in mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States, such as spotted salamanders and wood frogs. It is also vital to the survival of invertebrates such as fairy shrimp. Seasonal pools support local and regional biodiversity by serving as important breeding, nursery, and feeding grounds for wildlife, including amphibians, invertebrates, turtles, snakes, mammals, and birds. For example, spring peepers, gray tree frogs, and a number of bird species use pools for feeding and resting. Vernal pools also serve as stepping stones of hospitable habitat for wildlife that are dependent on wetlands to travel. If altered, wildlife populations may be isolated and more vulnerable to changes in their surroundings.