Herpetofaunal Response to Gap and Skidder-Rut Wetland Creation in a Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forest.

摘要: Herpetofaunal Response to Gap and Skidder-Rut Wetland Creation in a Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forest. Cromer R.B., J.D.Lanham, H.H. Hanlin.Forest Science, 1 May 2002, vol. 48, iss. 2, pp. 407-413(7) We compared herpetofaunal communities recently harvested gaps, skidder trails, unharvested depressional wetlands assess the effects of group-selection harvesting traffic on reptiles amphibians southern bottomland hardwood forest. From January 1, 1997 December 31, 1998 we captured 24,292 individuals representing 55 species at Savannah River Site Barnwell County, South Carolina. Forty-two (n = 6,702 individuals) were 43 8,863 along skid trails between gaps 8,727 depressions over 2 yr period. Three vegetation variables six environmental correlated with abundance. Salamander abundance, especially for genus Ambystoma, was negatively associated areas less canopy cover pronounced rutting (i.e., trails). Alternatively, treefrog (Hylidae) abundance positively gap creation. Results from this study suggest that group selection harvests may alter composition inmore » hardwoods by increasing habitat suitability some while diminishing it others.« less