Estimating Population Parameters of Hybrid Salamanders in Response to Forest Management. Grab, K. M. Master's thesis, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA, 2024.
abstract   bibtex   
A fundamental question in conservation is how animal populations dynamics, both patterns and process, respond to land management practices. The U.S. Forest Service at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory began a paired watershed experiment where one watershed was treated with midstory shrub removal and repeated application of prescribed fire and was compared with another nearby watershed as a reference. I estimated changes in abundance, population structure, and juvenile growth and survival of hybrid salamanders (Plethodon spp.) between the two watersheds using a hierarchical and integrated modelling approach. Consistent with my hypothesis, hatchling and juvenile salamanders experienced stronger negative effects of management actions on abundance than subadults or adults. I found weak evidence for a small, negative effect of treatment on growth but a small, positive effect on survival; however, these results are unreliable due to bias. This thesis provides a starting point for future research and understanding of this salamander population.
@mastersthesis{grab_estimating_2024,
	address = {Athens, Georgia, USA},
	title = {Estimating {Population} {Parameters} of {Hybrid} {Salamanders} in {Response} to {Forest} {Management}},
	abstract = {A fundamental question in conservation is how animal populations dynamics, both patterns and process, respond to land management practices. The U.S. Forest Service at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory began a paired watershed experiment where one watershed was treated with midstory shrub removal and repeated application of prescribed fire and was compared with another nearby watershed as a reference. I estimated changes in abundance, population structure, and juvenile growth and survival of hybrid salamanders (Plethodon spp.) between the two watersheds using a hierarchical and integrated modelling approach. Consistent with my hypothesis, hatchling and juvenile salamanders experienced stronger negative effects of management actions on abundance than subadults or adults. I found weak evidence for a small, negative effect of treatment on growth but a small, positive effect on survival; however, these results are unreliable due to bias. This thesis provides a starting point for future research and understanding of this salamander population.},
	school = {University of Georgia},
	author = {Grab, Kirstine M.},
	year = {2024},
}

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