THE EFFECTS OF TIMBERING ON PLETHODON-HUBRICHTI - SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

Effects of two types of timbering on populations of the Peaks of Otter salamander (Plethodon hubrichti) were determined using average number s found during multiple night collections. Sampling was done prior to, and for two years after, timbering on four sites in each of three tre atments (clearcut, shelter wood cuts, and reference). The average numb ers of P. hubrichti at the reference and shelterwood cut sites were st able over time while those at the clearcut sites showed a significant decrease post-timbering. Two years after timbering, 30% of the pre-tim bering populations remained at the clearcut sites. Jolly-Seber populat ion estimates on one clearcut site decreased from 43 to eight animals after cutting. In contrast, one reference site had a population estima te that oscillated around a mean of 71. Of the animals marked before t imbering, significantly fewer were recaptured after timbering at the c learcut site (17.5%) relative to the reference site (39.0%). Juveniles appeared to be the size class affected to the greatest degree. Adults and juveniles on clearcuts most likely emigrated and/or died after tr eatment.