Long-term partial cutting impacts on Desmognathus salamander abundance in West Virginia headwater streams

Kurtis R. Moseley; Mark Ford; Thomas M. Schuler

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2007.03.073

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Long-term partial cutting impacts on Desmognathus salamander abundance in West Virginia headwater streams

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Kurtis R. Moseley, Mark Ford, Thomas M. Schuler

Year:

2008

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2007.03.073

Source:

Forest Ecology and Management. 254: 300-307.

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Abstract

To understand long-term impacts of partial cutting practices on stream-dwelling salamanders in the central Appalachians, we examined pooled abundance of Desmognathus fuscus and D. monticola salamanders (hereafter Desmognathus) in headwater streams located within long-term silvicultural research compartments on the Fernow Experimental Forest, Tucker County, West Virginia. We sampled Desmognathus salamanders in 12 headwater streams within silvicultural research compartments that have been subjected to partial cutting for approximately 50 years. We used an information-theoretic approach to test five a priori models explaining partial cutting effects at the compartment-level on Desmognathus abundance and eight a priori models explaining stream reach-scale habitat effects on Desmognathus abundance.

Keywords

Best management practices, central Appalachians, Desmognathus, forest management, headwater streams, partial cutting, sedimentation

Citation

Moseley, Kurtis R.; Ford, W. Mark; Schuler, Thomas M. 2008. Long-term partial cutting impacts on Desmognathus salamander abundance in West Virginia headwater streams. Forest Ecology and Management. 254: 300-307.