Vertebrate assemblages associated with headwater hydrology in western Oregon managed forests.

Abstract

We characterized headwater stream habitats, fish, and amphibian fauna, in and along 106 headwater stream reaches at 12 study sites within managed forest stands 40 to 70 years old in western Oregon. Headwater stream types in our sample included perennial, spatially intermittent, and dry reaches. We captured 454 fish of three species groups and 1,796 amphibians of 12 species. Using canonical correlation, nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination, and generalized linear models, we identified species and assemblages associated with reach hydrologic type (e.g., perennial, intermittent, dry), stream size, gradient, and substrate composition. Our findings of torrent salamander occurrences in spatially intermittent streams, and patchy and infrequent occurrences of Cottus fish (sculpins) and coastal tailed frogs suggests these taxa warrant consideration during headwater management for retention of locally distinct biotic resources

Citation

Olson, D.H.; Weaver, G. 2007. Vertebrate assemblages associated with headwater hydrology in western Oregon managed forests. Forest Science. 53(2): 343-355