Interactions Among Vegetation, Salamanders and Arthropods

Carol Strojny, Mac Hunter, Shelly Thomas and Steve Woods

Recently, a study investigating the influence of canopy gaps and downed woody material (DWM) on interactions among understory vegetation communities, arthropod communities, and amphibian populations (Figures 2.1 and 2.2) was begun within FERP. This study tests three hypotheses: 1) characteristics of canopy gaps (gap size, gap origin [harvest vs. natural], and location within gap) influence the diversity of understory vegetation and arthropod communities, as well as the numbers and attributes of amphibians, 2) characteristics of DWM (decay class, species, and structural complexity) influence the diversity of understory vegetation and arthropod communities, as well as the numbers and attributes of amphibians, and 3) predation by amphibians influences the abundance and composition of arthropod communities, and these interactions are affected by characteristics of DWM.

Eastern redback salamanders (Plethodon cinereus),Figure 2.1 top, and Click beetles (Family Elateridae), Figure 2.2 right, are the focus of this research.

Downed Woody Material Dynamics>>