Effects of Timbering on Plethodon Hubrichti Over Twelve Years

Effects of Timber Harvest on Amphibian Populations: Understanding Mechanisms from Forest Experiments

“…We did not find out in our study, however, whether any of the individuals remaining in clearcut plots retreated underground for some period, as hypothesized for the more fossorial species of woodland salamanders (genus Plethodon; Petranka et al 1994), nor do we know the long-term fate of individuals that evacuate clearcuts (Reichenbach and Sattler 2007).…”

Effects of even-aged timber harvest on stream salamanders: Support for the evacuation hypothesis

“…), and anurans (Rana and Bufo spp.) that exhibit active movement away from altered habitat (Reichenbach and Sattler, 2007;Semlitsch et al, 2008).We are still lacking detailed information on the mechanism behind the patterns we observed, and future research should attempt to characterize species-specific behaviors following riparian forest modification as well as monitor patterns of recolonization as riparian forests recover. It is imperative that management of riparian headwater habitats attempt to preserve salamander assemblages, and not just single species.…”

“…In order to develop effective management practices that preserve biodiversity and ecosystem health, processes leading to population declines must be understood. Three primary hypotheses have been suggested regarding the response of amphibians following logging that include : (1) mortality hypothesis-reduced abundance from the death of salamanders as a result of desiccation, starvation, or loss of refuge (e.g., Petranka, 1993Petranka, , 1994; (2) retreat hypothesis-salamanders remain and survive in cut forests after logging in underground refugia, exhibiting reduced or limited activity (e.g., Johnston and Frid, 2002); and (3) evacuation hypothesissalamanders leave logged areas seeking more suitable habitat and microclimates (e.g., Reichenbach and Sattler, 2007;Semlitsch et al, 2008). None of these hypotheses are mutually exclusive and their applicability likely depends on the type and intensity of logging and the species affected .…”

“…Like the previous two hypotheses, this movement will result in a reduced number of salamanders in altered terrestrial habitat as well as a contraction of the terrestrial habitat occupied. The key differences are that mortality will be limited and surface activity will not be reduced, meaning that animals previously found away from the stream will actively seek more favorable habitat, potentially causing an increase in abundance in the remaining suitable habitat (Reichenbach and Sattler, 2007;Semlitsch et al, 2008). In stream-dependent salamanders this will likely mean that salamanders will leave altered terrestrial habitat and move toward or even into the stream.…”

Efficacy of riparian buffers in mitigating local population declines and the effects of even-aged timber harvest on larval salamanders

“…Despite the acknowledged importance of salamanders, little attention has been given to stream breeding salamanders with regards to anthropogenic land uses. Numerous studies have shown that fully terrestrial salamanders (Plethodon) are sensitive to upland forest alterations (e.g., Petranka et al, 1993;Ash and Bruce, 1994;Herbeck and Larsen, 1998;Reichenbach and Sattler, 2007) and that salamanders requiring streams for aquatic larvae are particularly susceptible to human development and impervious surfaces (Willson and Dorcas, 2002;Price et al, 2006;Miller et al, 2007). However, the impacts of managed timber harvest on stream salamanders within riparian zones has largely been ignored, receiving some consideration on the west coast (e.g., Vesely and McComb, 2002;Stoddard and Hayes, 2005;Olson and Weaver, 2007) while populations in eastern forests have been largely unstudied (but see Crawford, 2007).…”