Effects of experimental forestry treatments on a Maine amphibian community

Patrick, David A.; Hunter, Malcolm L.; Calhoun, Aram J. K.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.07.015

Cited by 104 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…There is considerable evidence that CWD can offset some of the negative effects of disturbances that reduce leaf litter availability (Moseley et al, 2004;Patrick et al, 2006;Rittenhouse et al, 2008;Kluber et al, 2009). It is clear that in our study system, however, terrestrial salamanders frequently occupy leaf litter microhabitat.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Although many studies have shown negative effects of anthropogenic disturbances on woodland salamanders, such as timber harvest and tree canopy removal, (Petranka et al, 1993;Ash and Bruce, 1994;Ash, 1997;Herbeck and Larsen, 1999;Hocking et al, 2013), some research has shown the potential ameliorating effects of retaining coarse woody debris (CWD), which functions as moist refugia (Moseley et al, 2004;Patrick et al, 2006;Rittenhouse et al, 2008;Kluber et al, 2009). At fine spatial scales, woodland salamanders occupy spatially and temporally variable microhabitats such as leaf litter, rocks, and downed wood.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Downed Wood Microclimates and Their Potential Impact on Plethodontid Salamander Habitat in the Oregon Coast Range

2009

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Downed Wood Microclimates and Their Potential Impact on Plethodontid Salamander Habitat in the Oregon Coast Range

2009

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“…The forests were predominately mixed coniferous-deciduous forests with dominant tree species of balsam fir (Abies balsamea), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), red maple (Acer rubrum), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), red oak (Quercus rubra), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Understory included American beech (Fagus grandifolia), bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), quaking aspen (P. tremuloides), and balsam poplar (P. balsamifera) (see also Patrick et al, 2006).…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of timber harvesting on terrestrial survival of pond-breeding amphibians

Todd

Blomquist

Harper

et al. 2014

Forest Ecology and Management

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a b s t r a c tSuccessful forest management for multiple uses requires balancing extractive practices with maintaining biodiversity, among other important goals. Amphibians comprise an important and abundant part of the biodiversity of many forests. Previous studies have documented declines in the abundance and diversity of amphibians in harvested forests. However, only recently have studies begun to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie such declines. Here, we studied the effects of timber harvesting on survival of geographically widespread ambystomatid salamanders in three forest regions of North America. We used terrestrial enclosures in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast to compare amphibian survival in unharvested controls, partially harvested stands ($25% canopy reduction), and clearcuts with coarse woody debris either retained or removed. In all regions, patterns of amphibian survival were similar, with both juvenile and adult salamanders generally having significantly lower survival in clearcuts compared with unharvested controls. Survival of juvenile salamanders in partially harvested stands was also low, but adult salamanders survived as well or better in partially harvested stands as in controls. Larger body size in juveniles was significantly correlated with recapture, irrespective of treatment, in both the Northeast and Southeast, but not in the Midwest or for adults in any region. Relatively heavier adults were more likely to be captured again in the Southeast, but relative mass was not correlated with recapture in any other regions or for juveniles. Our results suggest that increased amphibian mortality may contribute to declines of amphibian abundance and richness after forest clearcutting for the regions evaluated here. Although our results indicate that partial harvesting is compatible with survival of adult salamanders, retention of intact forest around breeding ponds would benefit all terrestrial stages of pond-breeding salamanders and represents a best management practice for the maintenance of amphibian biodiversity.

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“…Thinning in Pacific Northwest riparian forests had no effect on species presence or size-class distribution [119]. Perkins and Hunter [125] conjecture that partial harvest is an effective way to maintain salamander communities along headwater streams, and Patrick et al [126] found that spotted salamanders and eastern red-backed salamanders prefer uncut and partial-cut habitat, as well as retained CWD. Knapp et al [120] believe that concentrating high-intensity timber harvesting (e.g., clearcuts) in areas only a few hectares in size would minimize declines in plethodontid abundance due to timber harvest.…”

Section: Timber Harvestmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some recommendations for managers of riparian forests to help maintain salamander populations include preserving logs and snags as moist microhabitats, retaining some understory to provide shade, and maintaining riparian buffer zones [122,131]. Partial harvest with limited canopy thinning may be a viable method to maintain salamander populations [126,132]. In addition, it is critical to maintain some level of landscape connectivity to allow for dispersal and genetic exchange.…”

Section: Timber Harvestmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Salamanders in Riparian Forests: A Review

Clipp

Anderson

2014

Forests

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Salamanders and riparian forests are intimately interconnected. Salamanders are integral to ecosystem functions, contributing to vertebrate biomass and complex food webs in riparian forests. In turn, these forests are critical ecosystems that perform many environmental services, facilitate high biodiversity and species richness, and provide habitat to salamander populations. Due to the global decline of amphibians, it is important to understand, as thoroughly and holistically as possible, the roles of environmental parameters and the impact of human activities on salamander abundance and diversity in riparian forests. To determine the population responses of salamanders to a variety of environmental factors and anthropogenic activities, we conducted a review of published literature that compared salamander abundance and diversity, and then summarized and synthesized the data into general patterns. We identify stream quality, leaf litter and woody debris, riparian buffer width, and soil characteristics as major environmental factors influencing salamander populations in riparian forests, describe and explain salamander responses to those factors, and discuss the effects of anthropogenic activities such as timber harvest, prescribed fires, urbanization, road construction, and habitat fragmentation. This review can assist land and natural resource managers in anticipating the consequences of human activities and preparing strategic conservation plans. OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 2680

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Effects of experimental forestry treatments on a Maine amphibian community

Cited by 104 publications

References 70 publications

Downed Wood Microclimates and Their Potential Impact on Plethodontid Salamander Habitat in the Oregon Coast Range

Downed Wood Microclimates and Their Potential Impact on Plethodontid Salamander Habitat in the Oregon Coast Range

Effects of timber harvesting on terrestrial survival of pond-breeding amphibians

Environmental and Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Salamanders in Riparian Forests: A Review

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