Salamander Plethodon Population/Diversity survey along an Elevation Gradient.

Altitudinal gradients are specifically correlated with climate, precipitation, and numerous other variables; variables which must be taken into consideration when designing effective conservation studies in the Southern Appalachians. Furthermore, community relationships along elevation gradients can specifically be used to predict effects of global and local climate change. Salamanders and other amphibians are extremely good indicators of the overall health of an ecosystem, but many species of salamanders have begun to die out within the Southern Appalachians. Therefore, it is necessary to survey salamander populations along an elevation gradient in order to study the effects of disturbance in the Southern Appalachians, predict the results of global climate change upon salamander populations, and design ways of combating present disturbance within salamander populations. This study will consider the relationship between the number and diversity of salamanders at each elevation with altitude, climate and precipitation. Adjacent to each gradient site, 25 plots will be partitioned off within a grid quadrat. Plots will be at least 6 meters from each other. Within each plot will be two 1X1 ft cover boards made from pine shelving wood, which is not chemically treated. Coverboards with each plot will be placed 1 inch apart from each other. Identical grid quadrats will be created at altitudes of 782 m, 795 m, 865 m 1001 m, and 1347 m on the opposite side of the mountain. Coverboards will be allowed to sit, undisturbed, for one month. Surveying will begin the first week of July and will occur bi-weekly until August 17th. Surveying will then occur at least twice more between September and November. Surveying will entail determining number of salamanders beneath each cover board, species and length of each salamander. Length of salamander will be used to determine whether individual salamanders are being caught multiple times under the same coverboard. Temperature and precipitation at each elevation will be obtained using microclimate stations. Data analysis will include the following: | Average number of salamanders at each elevation | Average number of salamanders per species at each elevation | Average temperature and precipitation for each elevation | Chi square for elevation gradients and # of salamanders, species of salamanders | ANOVA for Y= # of salamanders per sampling, X= species, elevation | ANOVA for Y= # of salamanders, X= climate per elevation, precipitation per elevation