Temporal changes in the relative abundance of amphibians relative to riparian buffer width in western Washington, USA

摘要: In certain regions of Canada and the United States, amphibians have been shown to be sensitive forest management short-term adverse effects timber harvesting on terrestrial well documented in literature. However, silvicultural treatments may not realized until many years after treatment. Manipulative experiments with pre- post-treatment data, random assignment replicates treatments, analyses over a large spatial scale are rare Furthermore, even studies data can affected by ecological time lags; longevity some species mean that it could take several observe treatment effect. Riparian areas forested landscapes Pacific Northwest recognized for high richness yet little is known about persistence mature fragments such as unharvested riparian buffers surrounded clearcuts. Our study investigated efficacy, 2 10 post-logging, two different zone prescriptions established around third- fourth-order streams western Washington mitigate upland harvest amphibians. findings suggest there no global response logging or retention zones. Rather, showed individual responses varied between transects. Specifically Coastal Tailed Frogs (Ascaphus truei) declined clearcut habitats 2- 10-years following while Western Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon vehiculum) Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii) appear benefit from recommended width. The influence site was evident species, whereas others suggestion effects, but were confounded patterns natural population change at both local regional scales, which logging. results exemplify need longer-term ensure potentially confounding factors, fluctuation, considered when interpreting series data.