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Title: PERSISTENCE AND FATE OF RED-BACKED SALAMANDERS IN AN APPALACHIAN GRAZING SYSTEM

Author
item RIEDEL, BREANNA - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item RUSSELL, KEVIN - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item FORD, W - USDA-FOREST SERVICE
item O Neill, Katherine

Submitted to: The Wildlife Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2005
Publication Date: 9/25/2005
Citation: Riedel, B.L., Russell, K.R., Ford, W.M., O Neill, K.P. 2005. Persistence and fate of red-backed salamanders in an Appalachian grazing system. In Proceedings of The Wildlife Society 12th Annual Converence, Abstract Number 30, Madison, WI, September 25-29.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Woodland salamanders (Plethodon spp.) are important contributors to biodiversity and trophic processes within Appalachian forests. Several studies indicate that altered microclimates and vegetation structure after timber harvest (e.g., increased soil temperatures and desiccation, reduced ground cover) may result in long-term population declines of some Appalachian salamanders. If changes in forest structure following harvest alter salamander habitat quality, conversion of forests to pastures or meadows presumably causes more severe and permanent impacts. However, virtually no data exist regarding woodland salamander responses to Appalachian grazing systems. We present results of ongoing research measuring responses of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) to silvopasture and meadow conversion treatments at USDA Appalachian Farming System Research Center (AFSRC) sites in southern West Virginia. Artificial coverboards and area-constrained searches within northern red oak (Quercus rubra) silvopasture (basal area reduced 40-50%), hay meadow (>5 years after forest conversion), forest edge, and reference forest plots yielded 1,268 salamanders between May-December 2004. Unexpectedly, forest edge plots yielded the highest mean counts of P. cinereus (129.7/plot), followed by hay meadow plots (107.8/plot). These results combined with earlier preliminary sampling 2002 and 2003 indicate that red-backed salamanders may be more resilient than previously thought to changes in forest cover and structure. We also discuss preliminary data and ongoing research using mark-recapture methods at the AFSRC sites to determine if (a) salamanders within silvopastures, edges, and meadows represent residents or dispersers; (b) these habitats represent sink or source habitats by assessing age structure, reproduction, and physiological condition; and (c) coverboards mitigate overstory and ground cover removal or function as “stepping stones” between more suitable forest stands.