Salamanders are a large component of the faunal biomass of forested area and need to be considered for management as a major food supply for other fauna. Although little is known about managing salamander populations, species-specific management is possible. Life group management involves creating habitat for the life groups (eggs, aquatic larvae, eft (land larvae), newt-pre-adults, adults). The distinctive number of management needs (species x life group) creates an impressive challenge. Individuals with limited time and funds may be prevented from managing many different species, but species groups can be managed.
The first step in managing salamanders is to state management objectives. These objectives may include maximizing:
Creating managing habitat
Several techniques can be used to maintain or create suitable habitat for salamanders. In terrestrial habitats, maintaining a stable forest floor base of large decomposing wood may be essential. Creation of channels in decaying wood (by moles and shrews) allows salamanders great access to all parts of a log. Rotted root channels may be the only pathway to low soil depths. Habitat can be created by filling a wooden box or a forest floor depression with mixed deciduous leaves or sawdust and keeping it constantly moist. Conifer and lichen litter are usually very poor habitats.
In aquatic habitats, crayfish can be managed to provide burrows, for example for Desmognathus fuscus. Increasing pools of intermittent streams will improve conditions for salamanders. Stair-stepped streams with protected, vegetated banks can be readily created. Permanent pools usually have fish which are major predators on salamander eggs and larvae. Vernal pools are much more important for successful Ambystoma breeding. Manage spring seeps and waterholes and create spring boxes and "guzzlers" to assure moisture well distributed over an area. Add limestone to select low pH areas; place limestone boulders in stream segments.
Egg-laying patches can be created by adding aquatic vegetation to small shallow ponds, placing large dishes (flowerpot base) with sand as a base and a cover, placing large dishes with decomposed leaves in water, managing spring boxes and protecting springs with culverts, and adding logs at edges of seeps or waterhole edges.
Predators may need to be removed or larvae and plants protected (e.g., by wire net) from them. These include bullfrog, American toad, snapping turtle, painted turtle, garter snake, grass snake, raccoon, stickleback, and water shrew.
Precautions with Timber management
Even-aged systems create poor habitat for salamanders due to increased temperature and decreased moisture. Therefore, logging should be restricted so that less than 25% of known habitat in the area is cut every 10 years. In areas that are logged, several precautions can be taken to lessen the harmful effects on salamanders. For example, timber harvests can be done adjacent to areas to which animals may move. Timber harvest practices which reduce erosion/siltation and protect riparian vegetation can be used. Harvesting timber when leaves are on the trees and leaving tops can increase nutritional organic matter. And, slash and brush can be piled with woody debris in contact with the forest floor to create habitat.
In areas to be logged or otherwise "developed", salamander populations could be exploited for research on food habits, display specimens, laboratory studies. Also, collecting and moving individuals should be considered. Area preservation with managerial options for the long run should be considered for threatened species.
Prevent and rapidly control forest fires. Prescribed burns may be conducted in up to 5% of the known occupied habitats. As fuel loads build, large intense catastrophic fires may destroy salamanders unlike fires of a typical low-intensity nature. Discourage firewood gathering in salamander-special areas. Restrict traffic, even fishing, or other disturbance during short critical periods. Grazing at high intensity or in wet soils can have harmful effects due to soil compaction. Select areas may be fenced from grazing effects.
Continued resistance to regional broad-spectrum, long-lasting pesticide applications, global warming, acid rain deposition, and ozone release all are needed.
Managing salamander sightings
Foot trails can constructed to move people through habitats where salamanders are abundant. Sightings and recreational hours may be counted as a return from investments in salamander management. Salamanders are generally nocturnal, therefore, "night walks" can be conducted to allow visitor-users to find salamanders. Salamander watching is seasonal, therefore, seasonal occurrence (phenology) needs to be studied so first days, peak days , and end periods can be advertised for potential users.
Submitted by Robert H. Giles, Jr. and Deborah Kennard
This Web site is maintained by R. H.
Giles, Jr.
Last revision June 2, 2001