The effects of timbering on Plethodon hubrichti: short-term effects

Published source details Sattler P. & Reichenbach N. (1998) The effects of timbering on Plethodon hubrichti: short-term effects. Journal of Herpetology, 32, 399-404.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use shelterwood harvesting instead of clearcutting Action Link

Use shelterwood harvesting instead of clearcutting

A randomized, replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in 1993–1995 of forest in Virginia, USA (Sattler & Reichenbach 1998) found that shelterwood harvest resulted in higher abundances of otter salamanders Plethodonh ubrichti compared to clearcutting. Relative abundance did not differ significantly before and after harvest in the shelterwood (4 vs 4–5) and unharvested sites (7 vs 8). However, numbers declined within clearcuts (5 vs 1). Similarly, population estimates varied over time within the shelterwood (12–50) and unharvested sites (40–103), but declined steadily within clearcuts (from 43 to 8). The proportion of juveniles increased in the unharvested plot (8 to 30%), whereas the proportion remained lower in the shelterwood (4 to 13%) and clearcut sites (3 to 12%). Growth and movement rates were similar between treatments. Treatments were randomly assigned over 12 sites (0.6–1.2 ha): shelterwood harvest (33–64% removed), clearcut and unharvested. Harvest was in May 1994. Salamanders were surveyed up to eight times a year within one 5 x 5 m plot/site. Mark-recapture was undertaken at one site.