Publication Date
2026
College
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Department
Wildlife
Document Type
Poster
Description
This study examined whether artificial coverboards influence terrestrial salamander refugia use relative to natural cover objects in forest habitat. Surveys conducted twice weekly recorded salamander presence, abundance, species identity, and the microhabitat conditions. Abundance and occupancy were modeled against cover type and environmental variables. Salamanders were more frequently encountered under coverboards, suggesting that these structures provide stable, moist microclimates. Humidity and weather were significant predictors of abundance. The species Ensatina eschscholtzii and Batrachoseps attenuatus are the only two observed salamanders found in all cover types.
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