SREL Reprint #2213

Factors influencing amphibian and small mammal assemblages in central Appalachian forests

Joseph C. Mitchell1, Sherry C. Rinehart2, John F. Pagels2, Kurt A. Buhlmann3, and Christopher A. Pague3

1Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
2Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
3Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage,
1500 E. Main St., Suite 312, Richmond, VA 23219,USA

Abstract: We studied terrestrial amphibian and small mammal assemblages with drift fences and pitfall traps in five forested stands during 1987-1988 on Shenandoah Mountain in the George Washington National Forest, Virginia, USA. Eleven species of salamanders, five frogs, five shrews, and seven rodents were monitored. Amphibians were significantly more abundant in forest stands consisting of mature hardwoods than in a recent clearcut and a white pine plantation. Although there was considerable variation in abundance among species in the five stands, small mammal abundance was high in all five habitats studied. Amphibian species diversity (Shannon Index) was less than half that for small mammals because red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were dominant in most assemblages. Amphibian and small mammal diversity and total species richness were not related to estimated stand age, total number of canopy trees, tree diversity, or frequency of underground rocks. Maintenance of amphibian biodiversity requires the combination of mature hardwoods and wetland habitats (e.g. wildlife ponds and seepages). Most of the small mammals encountered were habitat generalists. Management focus on mature hardwood forests would maintain populations of small mammals requiring cool, moist situations in upper-elevation habitats in the central Appalachian Mountains.

Keywords: Amphibians; Biodiversity; Community ecology; Forest management; Frogs; Insectivores; Rodents; Salamanders; Small mammals

SREL Reprint #2213

Mitchell, J.C., S.C. Rinehart, J.F. Pagels, K.A. Buhlmann, and C.A. Pague. 1997. Factors influencing amphibian and small mammal assemblages in central Appalachian forests. Forest Ecology and Management 96:65-76.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).