Graduate Student: Breanna Riedel Adviser: Kevin Russell
Amphibians are often considered important bio-components of the forested landscapes. For example, the biomass of woodland salamanders (Plethodontidae) can equal or exceed that of mammals and birds. Woodland salamanders are also thought to play a critical role in transfer of energy between trophic levels within ecosystems. In part because of their localized abundance and sensitivity to environmental change, woodland salamanders are increasingly recognized as potential indicator species, which are useful for biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem integrity assessment efforts.
The objective of this study is to assess the potential contribution of silvipasture management conditions at the Appalachian Farming System Research Center in West Virginia. This will be done by sampling different communities of woodland salamanders (Plethodontidae) using artificial coverboards and conducting area-constrained searches. Differences among habitat types will also be assessed. Another objective is to determine potential differences in demographic characteristics, such as age structure, of the woodland salamander populations in silvipasture and hay meadow sites versus forest and forest edge habitats. These potential differences may allow me to determine whether sink or source conditions are present. By uniquely marking each salamander captured, I will be able to determine if silvipasture or hay meadow habitats are sed by resident salamanders, dispersers between habitats, and/or the degree of population turnover.
Pictures on this page provided by Breanna Riedel.
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