Elevation, aspect, and cove size effects on southern Appalachian salamanders

Using museum collection records and variables computed by digital terrain modeling in a geographic information system, we examined the relationship of elevation, aspect, and “cove” patch size to the presence or absence of 7 common woodland salamanders in mature cove hardwood and northern hardwood forests in the southern Appalachians of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Overall, elevation, aspect and patch size were poor discriminators among salamander species presence or absence at collection sites. Increased elevation was an important variable explaining the presence of Ocoee salamanders (Desmognathus ocoee) and Jordan's salamanders (Plethodon jordani). In contrast, decreased elevation was an important variable explaining the presence of slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus). Our study contrasts with recent research indicating that suitable habitat patch size is an important determinant of woodland salamander species richness and abundance at recently disturbed sites. In these matu...