| Patuxent Science Meeting 2006 Poster Abstract |
| | Stream salamander species richness in relation to environmental |
| | factors in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia |
| | Grant EHC, Jung RE, Rice KC (USGS-WR) |
| | Stream salamanders are known to be sensitive to acid mine drainage and may be sensitive to |
| | acidification and low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of a watershed. Streams in Shenandoah |
| | National Park, Virginia, are subject to episodic acidification from precipitation events. We |
| | surveyed streams in Shenandoah National Park for salamanders at sites selected using a |
| | stratified random sampling design based on elevation, aspect, and bedrock geology. We |
| | investigated the relationships of four species of stream salamanders (Eurycea bislineata, |
| | Desmognathus fuscus, D. monticola, and Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) to macro- and micro- |
| | habitat and water quality variables using 25 m by 2 m transects located on the stream bank |
| | adjacent to the water channel. Results suggest that stream salamanders may be affected by |
| | the acid-base status of streams in Shenandoah National Park. Desmognathus spp. and E. |
| | bislineata were found in streams that had a higher potential to neutralize acidification. More |
| | neutral pH values, higher density of cover objects and higher elevation streams had greater |
| | abundances of total streamside salamanders and Desmognathus fuscus and D. monticola |
| | combined counts. Our sampling method preferentially detected adult age classes of the study |
| | species and did not allow us to estimate population sizes. Uncertainties regarding the effects |
| | of stream acidification on salamander populations must be addressed on a temporal and |
| | experimental scale relevant to amphibian populations. |
| | Friday, September 22, 2006 |