Understanding the Influences of Forest Type, Cover Board Type and Weather on Salamanders

Salamanders are vital bioindicators that function to support a terrestrial forest
ecosystem. The continuous loss of amphibian species and their habitat can have profound
impacts on terrestrial systems. In terrestrial environments, salamanders use natural cover for
refuge, foraging, and maintaining moisture; however, artificial cover has commonly been used
to survey and conserve these species. The objective of this study was to assess terrestrial
salamander preference for natural versus artificial coverboards in relation to forest stands
in two successional stages located within the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station (Hiram,
Ohio). Ten artificial (particle board, 30 x 33 cm) and ten natural (white ash, 30 x 30 cm)
coverboards were placed in two 50 m parallel transects arranged 2 m apart within transitional
and mature forests. Surveys were conducted weekly between the second week of September and the
second week of November from 2018 to 2021. Average weakly precipitation and max temperature
were recorded. Both abundance and species richness were significantly higher under natural
coverboards and in the transitional forest. There were also correlation between species
richness and abundance with daily max temperature and weakly precipitation. 678 individuals
across five species were found: Eastern Red-Backed Salamander, Spotted Salamander, Four-Toed
Salamander, Red-Spotted Newt, and Northern Two-Lined Salamander. Eastern Red-Backed
Salamanders were the most abundant species within both mature and transitional forests.
Natural coverboards may be a better method to survey terrestrial salamanders because
artificial coverboards are comprised of wood chippings, wax and adhesives which may alter soil
permeability for less favorable conditions.