REMNANT HABITAT PATCHES SUPPORT GREEN SALAMANDERS (ANEIDES AENEUS) ON ACTIVE AND FORMER APPALACHIAN SURFACE MINES

摘要

Surface mining practices associated with coal extraction significantly impact assemblages of amphibians in the Appalachian Mountains; however, the impacts of coal extraction on amphibian habitat associated with rock outcrops is poorly understood. We compared habitat at 45 rock outcrops scattered across the Virginia coalfields to examine if and how habitat features associated with the occupancy of Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus) differ among undisturbed control sites, mined highwalls, and remnant outcrops remaining in small patches of undisturbed habitat on active and former surface mines. An analysis of similarity indicated that the habitat structure of highwalls was significantly different from that of natural outcrops. These habitats did not appear to support populations of Green Salamander, a finding in line with predictions about the impacts of coal extraction on plethodontid salamanders. However, remnant outcrops were not significantly different from natural outcrops with respect to both outcrop structure and surrounding vegetation, despite occurring in highly-fragmented edge habitats located in close proximity to mining activities. We found populations of the Green Salamander at more than 70% of the remnant outcrops, including at sites dominated by invasive vegetation and located within meters of surface extraction activities. Although more work is needed to ascertain the health and status of populations, our data indicate that Green Salamanders occur in small, isolated patches of habitat within a larger disturbed matrix more frequently than previously thought; thus, areas that have been mined may represent an overlooked reservoir of populations potentially crucial to the conservation of the species.