Effects of Timber Harvest on Amphibian Populations: Understanding Mechanisms from Forest Experiments

Harvesting timber is a common form of land use that has the potential to cause declines in amphibian populations. It is essential to understand the behavior and fate of individuals and the resulting consequences for vital rates (birth, death, immigration, emigration) under different forest managemen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioscience 2009-11, Vol.59 (10), p.853-862
Main Authors: Semlitsch, Raymond D, Todd, Brian D, Blomquist, Sean M, Calhoun, Aram J. K, Gibbons, J. Whitfield, Gibbs, James P, Graeter, Gabrielle J, Harper, Elizabeth B, Hocking, Daniel J, Hunter, Malcolm L, Patrick, David A, Rittenhouse, Tracy A. G, Rothermel, Betsie B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
21st Century Directions in Biology
adult animals
Adults
amphibian
Amphibians
Animal populations
animal reproduction
Aquatic habitats
Breeding
clearcut
Clearcutting
Environmental aspects
Experiments
Feedback (Response)
Fences
Forest canopy
forest ecosystems
Forest habitats
Forest management
Frogs
Habitat destruction
Habitats
Harvest
Immigration
Land Use
life history
literature reviews
logging
Management Systems
meta-analysis
OVERVIEW ARTICLES
oviposition
Ponds
Population
Reptiles & amphibians
Salamanders
Studies
Timber
Topography
vital rate
wildlife habitats
wildlife management
Zoology
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Summary:Harvesting timber is a common form of land use that has the potential to cause declines in amphibian populations. It is essential to understand the behavior and fate of individuals and the resulting consequences for vital rates (birth, death, immigration, emigration) under different forest management conditions. We report on experimental studies conducted in three regions of the United States to identify mechanisms of responses by pond-breeding amphibians to timber harvest treatments. Our studies demonstrate that life stages related to oviposition and larval performance in the aquatic stage are sometimes affected positively by clearcutting, whereas effects on juvenile and adult terrestrial stages are mostly negative. Partial harvest treatments produced both positive and weaker negative responses than clearcut treatments. Mitigating the detrimental effects of canopy removal, higher surface temperature, and loss of soil-litter moisture in terrestrial habitats surrounding breeding ponds is critical to maintaining viable amphibian populations in managed forested landscapes.
ISSN:0006-3568
1525-3244
DOI:10.1525/bio.2009.59.10.7