The effects of forest management and microclimate on plethodontid salamander occupancy

     The past several decades have seen dramatic expansion of human land use in the southern appalachian region. These changes in land use may bring with them changes in habitat structure and even microclimatic regimes. The... [ view full abstract ]

     The past several decades have seen dramatic expansion of human land use in the southern appalachian region. These changes in land use may bring with them changes in habitat structure and even microclimatic regimes. The highly adapted plethodontid salamanders of the Appalachian mountains are especially at risk from shifting climatic and microclimatic regimes, and have already seen significant declines in populations in the past several decades. This study examines the links between human land use and microclimatic and habitat variables, as well as the influence that these factors may have on plethodontid salamander occupancy. Microclimate, habitat, and occupancy data for two common plethodontid salamanders were collected at 12 sites in Sewanee, TN, representing 4 different management regimes. Background density of all plethodontid salamanders in our area seemed to be lower than densities reported for other regions. Terrestrial plethodontid density was highest in exurban forests relative to all other forest types though one species also responded positively in burned forests. Relative stability of exurban forests linked with characteristics of the forest floor indicate that these small patches of forest in an otherwise developed matrix may provide high quality habitat for terrestrial salamanders.