Initial Effects of Clearcutting and Alternative Silvicultural Practices on Terrestrial Salamander Abundance

摘要: Several studies have demonstrated the negative effects of clearcutting on terrestrial plethodontid salamander populations. However, none has experimentally compared with multiple alternative timber-harvest methods. Using a randomized, replicated design, we short-term (1-4 years after harvest) to leavetree, group selection, and two shelterwood cuts terres- trial salamanders in southern Appalachian Mountains Virginia West (U.S.A.). Treatment plots were 2 ha each. We also age class (percent juvenile), fecundity (percentage fe- males carrying eggs average number per gravid female), size females, species com- position diversity between treatments canopy removal ( cut ) those without re- moval (uncut). All had significantly fewer than control treatment, but abundances did not differ signifi- cantly from clearcuts. There no significant differences uncut proportion females that or males; however, Plethodon cinereus weighed more Desmo- gnathus ochrophaeus treatments. be- tween sample was juvenile, except largest tested, P. glutinosus , which higher juveniles con- clude initial declines abundance caused by timber harvesting may be mini- mized across landscape concentrating high-intensity (clearcutting) small areas few hectares ).