Abundance of montane salamanders over an elevational gradient

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Climate Change Biology
• Herpetology

Background:

• Climate change is predicted to alter species distributions globally, especially at high elevations.
• Montane ectotherms, like Appalachian salamanders, are particularly vulnerable due to limited ranges and movement.
• Plethodontid salamanders in the southern Appalachians face potential threats from changing climate conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish baseline abundance estimates for plethodontid salamanders across an elevational gradient in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Develop robust salamander surveying methods for reliable long-term monitoring.
• Provide data to assess future population and distribution changes due to climate change.

Main Methods:

• Conducted surveys along an elevational gradient in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Collected data on salamander abundance, litter depth, herbaceous ground cover, and proximity to streams.
• Modeled abundance and detection rates considering environmental variables like temperature, precipitation, and humidity.

Main Results:

• Plethodon jordani showed peak abundance at mid-elevations (1,500 m).
• Desmognathus wrighti abundance increased with elevation up to 2025 m.
• Eurycea wilderae abundance increased up to 1,600 m before plateauing; litter depth, ground cover, and stream proximity influenced abundance.
• Environmental factors like temperature and humidity affected detection rates.

Conclusions:

• This study provides essential baseline data for montane salamander populations in the Appalachian region.
• The developed methods allow for unbiased comparisons crucial for long-term monitoring.
• Understanding these patterns is vital for assessing climate change impacts on salamander communities.