Coarse woody debris and pine litter manipulation effects on movement and microhabitat use of Ambystoma talpoideum in a Pinus taeda stand

摘要: Abstract We examined effects of coarse woody debris (CWD) and pine litter (PL) manipulations on movement microhabitat use by mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) in the upper Coastal Plain South Carolina. Individuals were tracked within field enclosures using harmonic radar detection from 3 December 2002 to 1 August 2003. Enclosure study one (ES1) consisted three treatments: (1) high CWD/high PL; (2) low CWD/low (3) PL. two (ES2) treatment types: complete PL removal unmanipulated control. Activity A. talpoideum ES1 PL, treatments did not differ. subject ES2 moved during more nights than individuals control treatments. During night surveys a greater percentage nights, active for longer periods time, exposed may have utilized CWD as means compensating inadequate microclimate conditions provided reduced depth. Our results suggest that reduction has little effect activity levels. Conversely, prompts individual move frequently periods, thereby potentially being subjected increased desiccation predation risk. Within managed forests southeastern United States, forest management practices minimize can help maintain suitable habitat amphibian groups such ambystomatid salamanders.