Amphibian distributions in riparian and upslope areas and their habitat associations on managed forest landscapes in the Oregon Coast Range

摘要: Abstract Over the past 50 years, forested landscapes of Pacific Northwest have become increasingly patchy, dominated by early successional forests. Several amphibian species associated with headwater systems emerged as management concerns, especially after clearcutting. Given that streams comprise a large portion length flowing waterways in western Oregon forests, there is need to better understand how forest affects taxa and their habitats. Mitigation strategies include alternatives clearcutting, such harvests remove only part canopy maintenance riparian buffer strips. Our study investigates effects upland thinning coupled treatments on amphibians, habitat attributes, species-habitat associations. Amphibian captures variables were examined 5–6 years post-thinning within stands subject streamside-retention buffers variable-width buffers, well unthinned reference stands. We found no effects, however, our results suggest ground surface conditions (e.g., amount rocky or fine substrate) play role determining response amphibians along streams. Distance from stream was abundance, hence retention likely important maintaining microclimates microhabitats needed for other taxa. Moderate preservation nearby areas way may be sufficient maintain suitable microclimatic vital assemblages managed