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Most pools dry up in late spring, summer, and sometimes early fall. At this point, its inhabitants have migrated back to the surrounding forests or otherwise prepared for the lack of water. This annual drying keeps vernal pools free of fish. In semi-permanent pools, fish are unable to survive because of poor oxygen content and high water temperatures. Certain obligate species, unable to breed elsewhere, depend upon vernal pools as a fish free nursery to breed in. Fish present with breeding obligate species could predate these animals with high success.
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