AMPHIBIAN RESPONSES TO HELICOPTER HARVESTING IN FORESTED FLOODPLAINS OF LOW-ORDER, BLACKWATER STREAMS

Amphibian surveys were conducted on helicopter-harvested and unharvest ed forested wetlands in southern Alabama during spring and autumn 1992 and 1993. Eight sites, two of which were harvested in March 1991, two in March 1993 and one unharvested control stand near to each harveste d site, were surveyed using pitfall traps and hand collection searches . After harvest, numbers of individual amphibians encountered were bri efly reduced but later stimulated by some harvest treatments. Numbers of species and species diversity followed the same trend. However, spe cies composition was strongly affected by harvest. Salamander densitie s and diversity were reduced by harvesting while densities of select f rog and toad species increased. Amphibian populations were also affect ed by environmental conditions during our survey times. In sum, these results show that amphibians can live in clearcut forested wetlands, a lthough the composition of the community is likely to shift.