Distributional ecology of stream-dwelling salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Salamanders occupy stream environs within every conceivable microhabitat type available in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Patterns of abundance and biomass distributions were evident, however, in terms of watershed, elevation, season, stream size variables, stream flow and velocity, water quality, temperature, overstory and understory forest type, logging history, and stream substrate type.

Population estimates of streamside-dwel1ing salamanders (mean = 0.050/m², range = 0 - 0.367/m²) were consistent with other terrestrial and streamside population estimates in the Appalachian Mountains, although stream-dwelling salamanders were much more abundant (mean = 0.153, range = 0 - 1.880) and probably represent the greatest population density of salamanders in the world. Habitat complexity effected species diversity and population density in different ways for stream and streamside-dwelling salamanders, although stream width was probably the single most overall influential parameter. Environmental impacts affecting salamander distributions in the Park include roadcuts through Anakeesta formations, acid precipitation effects. Balsam Wooly aphid parasitism of Frasier Fir, European Wild Boar rooting, and research collecting and translocation of salamanders.