RESPONSE OF NATIVE WILDLIFE POPULATIONS TO FORESTRY AND OTHER LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: MCINTIRE-STENNIS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0208731
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2006
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2011
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
(N/A)
BLACKSBURG,VA 24061

Performing Department
Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Non Technical Summary
Native populations of wildlife provide value, but may decline in response to certain forest management or agricultural practices. This project compares different forest management and livestock grazing practices in order to provide information about their effects on important wildlife to landowners and landmanagers.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
121	0850	1070	10%
121	0860	1070	10%
123	0621	1070	10%
123	0850	1070	10%
123	0899	1070	20%
135	0330	1070	10%
135	0850	1070	10%
136	0621	1070	10%
136	1610	1070	10%

Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife; 136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources; 121 - Management of Range Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0621 - Broadleaf forests of the South; 0850 - Wildlife habitats; 0899 - Wildlife and natural fisheries, general/other; 1610 - Pasture; 0330 - Wetland and riparian systems; 0860 - Endangered species;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

amphibian

reptile

forestry

grazing

wetlands

appalachian hardwoods

silviculture

salamander

bog turtle

Goals / Objectives
Most native wildlife occurs on land for which management of wildlife populations is not the primary land use. Studies designed to protect populations of native species often have focused on their preferred habitats and discussed ways to design and maintain reserves. However, to effectively conserve populations of most species, we need to understand how to ensure that the management practices related to the primary land use (such as production forestry or production agriculture) are compatible with healthy wildlife populations. For the large majority of non-game species, little is known about the habitat requirements and response to human disturbance, so research in this area is critical to sound management. The proposed work will address specific needs raised by landowners and landmanagers for understanding wildlife population response to land use practices. These results can then be applied to improve wildlife habitat on farms and forests in ways compatible with the primary land use. The information will also add to our understanding of the biology of native species, as well as contributing to theoretical understandings of wildlife population response to disturbance, dispersal barriers and corridors, and social environments. The overall objective is to determine how land management practices may benefit native wildlife populations while still meeting the primary land use goals. Specific objectives include: 1. Determine whether terrestrial salamander populations recover from timber harvest more quickly on sites that retain some mature canopy; 2. Determine whether removal of livestock activity from wetlands known to be used by bog turtles results in increased woody vegetation, loss of surface water, and reduced mud depth.

Project Methods
To investigate effects of forest management on salamander populations, we have established 7 replications of the study in southwest Virginia and central West Virginia. The first sites were harvested in 1994-1995 and the last sites were harvested in 1998. Seven treatments 2 ha in size were included in each installation: unmanaged control, understory vegetation control, group selection, shelterwood, leave-tree, commercial clearcut, silvicultural clearcut. For consistency with preharvest and early postharvest sampling, we will continue to use night-time area-constrained searches (night transects), a non-destructive method for sampling salamander relative abundance (Jaeger 1994, Harpole and Haas 1999). Because salamanders are more likely to be encountered foraging at night when the forest floor is wet (Jaeger 1980, Feder and Londos 1984), we sample night transects only during or after rain events. We will sample in nine 2 x 15 m transects per treatment plot, and will sample one transect per treatment per rainy night so that all treatment plots within a site are sampled on the same night. We will use Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) with pre-treatment abundance as a covariate to compare the effects of the various treatments on salamander population levels. This technique allows us to address annual variation as well as local variation in relative abundance. If our hypothesis is correct, we should see higher levels on the stands that retained a partial mature canopy (group selection, shelterwood, leavetree) than on the stands with all large stems removed (commercial and silvicultural clearcuts). Work to evaluate the effect of livestock grazing on bog turtle habitat is focused along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. In sites known to be used by bog turtles, we delimited10 paired plots, each 5 m x 5 m in size, and randomly assigned one of each pair to be an exclosure or control. The barbed wire fences exclude cattle but not other herbivores such as deer or potential predators such as raccoons or herons. We will sample the plots systematically, to avoid trampling the vegetation and will estimate vegetation cover in several categories. Additionally, at each square-meter center, we will record water depth and mud depth measured to the nearest cm. We will construct wells and monitor hydrological changes throughout the period when turtles are active (approximately April-October). We will also record a seasonal index of grazing intensity in the fields containing the exclosures and controls. To test the hypothesis that habitat conditions change after livestock are removed, we will compare values from controls to values from exclosures within a year, and values from exclosures in year 1 to later years, using paired t-tests or Mann-Whitney tests as well as a modified before-after-control-impact (BACI) design.

Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We conducted extensive field research at multiple sites (including sampling amphibians and vegetation in both Appalachian hardwood and longleaf pine forests managed under different treatments; monitoring habitat use and studying soils and hydrology of wetlands utilized by bog turtles; collecting data on grassland birds and insects in cool-season and native warm-season grass pastures) tested GIS models with field data, and analyzed field data. Six graduate students were trained or partially trained on this project (David W. Garst, M.S. Spring 2007, Jessica A. Homyack, Ph.D. Spring 2009, Thomas A. Gorman, Ph. D. Spring 2009, Jeff Feaga, Ph.D. Fall 2010, N. Danielle Bridgers, continuing M.S. student, and Sylvia D. Powell, new MS student). PARTICIPANTS: (1)PI: Carola A. Has (2): Postdoc Tom Gorman (3): Graduate Students: David Garst completed a MS on Spring 2007. Jessica A. Homyack and Thomas A. Gorman completed Ph.D.s in Spring 2009. Jeff Feaga completed a Ph.D. in September 2010. Danielle Bridgers is continuing writing her MS thesis. Sylvia Powell started a project in Fall 2011 examining the effects of restoration efforts in longleaf pine flatwoods. Carola Haas (PI) directed research associated with this project and supervised 2 graduate students and a postdoc during this period. Several undergraduate students received training associated with this project. Brett Alston, Kenny Erwin, Dawn Mercer, Jeronomio da Silva Nova, and Alex Garretson were trained in field sampling, taxon identification, and data collection and management as they assisted with various aspects of the research. I trained several students and seasonal technicians in bird-banding techniques. We partnered with collaborators at Virginia Tech in Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences, Entomology, Biological Sciences, and Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation. I partnered with collaborators at the US Forest Service, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech, elementary school children, other research ecologists, forest and wildlife biologists, land managers, and interested members of the public. We provided information through scientific publications and presentations, news releases, requests for information through agencies and public interest groups, and through phone calls and email requests from the public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
We continued to work with state and federal wildlife and wetland managers, providing them with new information about federally threatened and endangered species. We collaborated with biologists from the state of Florida to implement an adaptive management study examining the effects of different vegetation control techniques on rare and endangered amphibians. We documented important features of reptile habitat in Virginia in order to help state managers target areas for inspection or protection. Our research on pine flatwoods wetland habitats has resulted in the implementation of wetlands restoration or mitigation projects at multiple military installations, National Forest sites, and Florida state wildlife management areas. Our research on forestry effects on terrestrial salamanders continues to be incorporated into management plans and into undergraduate and graduate classes at Virginia Tech. Our research on soils and hydrology of bog turtle wetlands has informed recovery planning for this federally threatened species. Conference & Invited Presentations: K. K. Fleming, C. A. Haas, S. L. Carter, and M. J. Pinder. Long-distance movements of bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) among connected and unconnected wetlands in southwest Virginia. (poster presentation) Bog Turtle Recovery Meeting, 15-17 November 2011, Langhorne, PA; Feaga, J. B., C. A. Haas, and J. A. Burger. Relation of wetland hydrology and soils to bog turtle habitat use in Virginia. Invited presentation. Bog Turtle Recovery Meeting, 15-17 November 2011, Langhorne, PA; Homyack, J. 2011. Effects of forest harvesting on amphibians: integrating ecology and physiology with management. Invited presentation. North Carolina State University Wildlife Seminar Series. Mar. 23, 2011. Raleigh, North Carolina; Haas, C. A., J. Zelt, M. C. Witmer, T. A. Gorman, C. R. Philips, and S. Droege. Historic avian migration and diet data sets at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Poster presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, 24-29 July 2011 Jacksonville, FL; Gorman, T.A. and C. A. Haas. Experimental restoration of reticulated flatwoods salamander breeding habitat. Poster presented to the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 7-11 July 2011, Minneapolis, MN; Jones, K. C., T. A. Gorman, and C. A. Haas. Observations of reticulated flatwoods salamanders climbing in wiregrass and other substrates. Poster presented at the Alabama Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) Conference. 5 Nov 2010, Andalusia, AL.

Publications

• Keyser, P. D., L. A. Williams, K. M. Kelly, C. A. Haas, V. L. Ford, T. B. Wigley. 2011. An assessment of distribution patterns of terrestrial salamanders in the Central Appalachians using two landscape models. American Midland Naturalist 166: 194-210.
• Homyack, J. A., C. A. Haas, and W. A. Hopkins. 2011. Energetics of surface-active terrestrial salamanders in experimentally harvested forest. Journal of Wildlife Management 75: 1267-1278.
• Gorman, T.A. and C. A. Haas. 2011. Seasonal microhabitat selection and use of syntopic populations of Lithobates okaloosae and Lithobates clamitans clamitans. Journal of Herpetology 45: 313-318.
• Sucre, E., J. Homyack, T. Fox, and C. Haas. 2010. The influence of red backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) on nutrient cycling in Appalachian hardwood forests. Stanturf, John A., Editor. Pages 487-493 in Proceedings of the 14th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. E-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-121. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We continued field research at multiple sites, including collecting preliminary data on grassland birds and insects in cool-season and native warm-season grass pastures, tested GIS models with field data, and analyzed field data. Two graduate students were partially trained on this project (Jeff Feaga, Ph.D. Fall 2010, and N. Danielle Bridgers, continuing M.S. student). PARTICIPANTS: Carola Haas (PI) directed research associated with this project and supervised 2 graduate students (Jeff Feaga and N. Danielle Bridgers) and a postdoc (Tom Gorman) during this period. Several undergraduate students received training associated with this project, including 6 who participated in field sampling (Anthony Phillips, Austin West, Kenny Erwin, Brett Alston, Sarah Parkin, A. Dawn Mercer) as well as other students who assisted occasionally in the field and gained experience with data entry and management. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech, elementary schoolchildren, research ecologists, forest and wildlife biologists, land managers, and interested members of the public. We provided information through scientific publications and presentations, news releases, presentations at elementary schools or for youth groups in Virginia and Japan, requests for information through agencies and public interest groups, and through phone calls and email requests from the public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
We continued to work with state and federal wildlife and wetland managers, providing them with new information about federally threatened and endangered species. We collaborated with biologists from the state of Florida to implement an adaptive management study examining the effects of different vegetation control techniques on rare and endangered amphibians. Our research on forestry effects of terrestrial salamanders continues to be incorporated into undergraduate and graduate classes at Virginia Tech. This research was of interest to colleagues in Taiwan and resulted in an invitation to lecture at National Taiwan University. Conference Presentations: *Gorman, T. A. and C. A. Haas. Range-wide and stream-level occupancy of Lithobates okaloosae. Poster presented at the Southeastern Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Conference. 18 Feb 2010, Ocala, FL. *Homyack, J. A. and C. A. Haas. Effects of forest harvesting on terrestrial salamanders: results from a 15-year experiment. Southeastern Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Conference. 19 Feb 2010, Ocala, FL. Invited Presentations: Haas, C. A. Dispersal behavior of a migratory songbird: the Loggerhead Shrike. Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, November 2009. Haas, C.A., T. R. Fox, and R. H. Jones. Understory biodiversity, resilience, and nutrient processes in managed Appalachian forest ecosystems. Department of Forestry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, November 2009. Haas, C. A. Dispersal behavior of a migratory songbird: the Loggerhead Shrike. Biodiversity Science Program, Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan, December 2009.

Publications

• *Homyack, J.A., C. A. Haas, and W. A. Hopkins. 2010. Influence of temperature and body mass on standard metabolic rate of eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). Journal of Thermal Biology 35: 143-146. (2010),doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2010.01.006
• *Priestley, A. S., T. A. Gorman*, and C. A. Haas. 2010. Comparative morphology of Rana okaloosae and Rana clamitans clamitans tadpoles. Florida Scientist 73: 20-26.
• *Homyack, J. A. and C. A. Haas. 2009. Long-term effects of experimental forest harvesting on abundance and reproductive demography of terrestrial salamanders. Biological Conservation 142: 110-121.
• *Homyack, J. A., E. B. Sucre, C. A. Haas, and T. R. Fox. 2010. Does Plethodon cinereus affect leaf litter decomposition and invertebrate abundances in mixed oak forest Journal of Herpetology 44: 447-456.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We continued field research at multiple sites, conducted soil analyses in the lab, developed GIS models, and entered and analyzed field data. We participated in field days and demonstrations. Two doctoral students submitted their dissertations and completed their degrees in spring 2009. Two graduate students (one MS and one PhD) continued field and laboratory research. PARTICIPANTS: Four graduate students were partially trained on this project, Tom Gorman (Ph.D. March 2009), Jessica Homyack (Ph.D. March 2009), N. Danielle Bridgers (continuing MS student) and Jeff Feaga (continuing MS student). During summer 2009, we mentored 3 undergraduate students in conjunction with the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program at Virginia Tech, training them in wildlife and field ecology research skills. In addition 2 workstudy students and 2 technicians were trained and employed in field research. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech, other research ecologists, forest and wildlife biologists, land managers, and interested members of the public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
We continued to work with state and federal wildlife and wetland managers, providing them with new information about federally threatened and endangered species. We assisted Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries personnel in identifying potential breeding sites for bog turtles. Our research results were used as part of the determination to uplist reticulated flatwoods salamanders from threatened to endangered and identify critical habitat. Our research on forestry effects of terrestrial salamanders continues to be incorporated into undergraduate and graduate classes at Virginia Tech. Presentations: Bridgers, L., C.A. Haas, and J.B. Feaga. Diurnal water table fluctuation in Blue Ridge Parkway wetlands. Presented to the McNair & Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) Summer Research Symposium, Virginia Tech, 31 July 2009, Blacksburg, VA. Bryant, J., N. D. Bridgers, and C. A. Haas. The effect of maternal body condition on the reproductive success of bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) in southwestern Virginia. Presented to the McNair & Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) Summer Research Symposium, Virginia Tech, 31 July 2009, Blacksburg, VA. Gorman, T. A. Ecology of two rare amphibians of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Seminar at Virginia Tech, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences. March 30, 2009. Blacksburg, VA. Gorman, T. A. and C. A. Haas. Range-wide and stream-level scale occupancy of Rana okaloosae. Presented to the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. July 25, 2009. Portland, OR. Haas, C.A., A. Two Bears, J. Guynn, K. H. Haas. Breeding season movement of loggerhead shrikes in North Dakota. Oral presentation, 15 August 2009. 127th meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, Philadelphia, PA. Homyack, J. A. Effects of forest regeneration methods on salamander populations in central Appalachia. Seminar at Virginia Tech, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences. March 20, 2009. Blacksburg, VA. Wansley, J., N. D. Bridgers, and C. A. Haas. Variations in tussock quality between nest sites and random sites of female bog turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). Presented to the McNair & Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) Summer Research Symposium, Virginia Tech, 31 July 2009, Blacksburg, VA.

Publications

• Gorman, T. A., D. C. Bishop, and C. A. Haas. 2009. Spatial interactions between two species of frogs: Rana okaloosae and R. clamitans clamitans. Copeia 2009:138-141.
• Haas, C. A., E. A. Frimpong, S. M. Karpanty. 2009. Ecosystems and ecosystem-based management. Chapter 6 in K. M. Moore, ed. The sciences and art of adaptive management: Innovating for sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, Iowa.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We collected field data at multiple sites and conducted supplementary laboratory experiments. We participated in several field days and demonstrations, including NRCS personnel to identify bog turtles and their habitats (May 2008), educating soil scientists about the role of salamanders in forest floor processes (June 2008), and educating youth about land and wildlife management (Summer 2008). PARTICIPANTS: This project supported the training of 4 graduate students and over a dozen undergraduate students who were involved in research activities. TARGET AUDIENCES: We provided information to scientists and managers through publications and presentations at professional meetings. We also provided information through field days and demonstrations, and through informal contacts in response to phone calls. We provided information to youth through summer programs at Virginia Tech. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Because this project is in the early stages, we anticipate the majority of outcomes and impacts to be developed in future years. We have presented our results to state wetland managers and to NRCS agents, providing them with new information about federally threatened species. We assisted Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries personnel with wetland restoration activities. We have commented on proposed critical habitat designation and a change in listing from threatened to endangered for reticulated flatwoods salamanders. Our data have been used in the development of plans to address a proposed highway project through flatwoods salamander habitat. Feaga, J. B., C. A. Haas, and J. A. Burger. 2008. Hyrdoperiod and bog turtle movement through wetland surface soils. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, November 2008, Miami, Florida. Feaga, J. B., C. A. Haas, and J. A. Burger. 2008. Hyrdoperiod and surface soils in Virginia bog turtle wetlands. Annual Meeting of the Virginia Herpetological Society, 4 October 2008, Richmond, Virginia. Feaga, J. B., C. A. Haas, and J. A. Burger. 2008. Hyrdoperiod, surface soils, and the burrowing bog turtle. Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists, 28 May 2008, Washington, DC. Gorman, T. A. and C. A. Haas. Microhabitat selection of two sympatric species: Florida bog frogs and bronze frogs. Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology. July 15, 2008. Chattanooga, TN. Gorman, T. A. and C. A. Haas. Influence of vegetation structure, hydrology, and fish on occupancy of breeding wetlands by flatwoods salamander larvae. Presented to the Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. September 25, 2007. Tucson, AZ. Gorman, T. A. and C. A. Haas. Influence of vegetation on pond occupancy of larval flatwoods salamanders. Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Virginia Chapter of The Wildlife Society. February 15, 2007. Staunton, VA Haas, C. A., J.A. Homyack, E. B. Sucre, and T. R. Fox. 2008. Influence of forest salamanders on invertebrate populations, leaf litter decomposition, and nutrient flux. Invited symposium presentation, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 25-29 July 2008, Montreal, Quebec.

Publications

• Rose, N., E. Serrano, K. W. Hosig, C. A. Haas, D. W. Reaves, S. M. Nickols-Richardson. 2008. The 100-Mile Diet: A community approach to promote sustainable food systems impacts dietary quality. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition 3: 270-285.
• Homyack, J. A. and C. A. Haas. 2008. Long-term effects of experimental forest harvesting on abundance and reproductive demography of terrestrial salamanders. Biological Conservation. (In press).
• Gorman, T. A., C. A. Haas, and D. C. Bishop. 2009. Factors Related to Occupancy of Breeding Wetlands by Flatwoods Salamander Larvae. Wetlands 29 (In press)

Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: EVENT -SYMPOSIUM: 2007 Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. Amphibian Conservation on Managed Landscapes. September 2007. Tucson, Arizona. (Homyack and Gorman) EVENT - TRAININGS Undergraduate mentoring and instruction in field techniques in wildlife and hydrology. Activity associated with a graduate project investigating the soils, hydrology, and grazed vegetation of Virginia bog turtle habitat. June 1 - September 30, 2007. Blacksburg, VA (Feaga) Virginia Master Naturalist Program, Herpetology Section, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA September 2006-Janurary 2007 Taught 1 class session and 1 field laboratory session (Garst) The Natural History of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) and Field Techniques for Studying Snakes, Mountain Lake Biological Station, Mountain Lake, VA May 2007 and May 2006 for Virginia Tech Techniques in Wildlife Management Course. (Garst) EVENT - FIELD DAYS Radio telemetry introduction and instruction for high school students. Activity associated with Governor's School Wildlife Activity Day. July 6, 2007. Blacksburg, VA (Homyack) EVENT - CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS Garst, D. W., C.A. Haas, S.P. Prisley, D.F. Stauffer, and W.H. Martin. 2007. Landscape Level Prediction of Timber Rattlesnake Basking Habitat Using GIS. Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Winter Meeting, Staunton, VA Garst, D.W. 2007. Timber Rattlesnake Natural History and GIS Modeling. VA Tech Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Monthly Meeting, Blacksburg, VA Feaga, J. B., J. A. Burger, and C. A. Haas. Soils, hydrology, and grazed vegetation of Virginia bog turtle habitat. Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc. August 30, 2007. Williamsburg, VA Gorman, Thomas A. and Carola A. Haas. Influence of vegetation structure on occupancy of ponds by larval flatwoods salamanders. Presented to the Annual Meeting of the Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society. February 15, 2007. Staunton, VA. PARTICIPANTS: Carola Haas (PI) directed research associated with this project and supervised 4 graduate students during this period. Several students received training associated with this project. Ph. D. students: Jeff Feaga, Tom Gorman, Jessica Homyack M.S. student: David Garst Undergraduate students: Jen Heemeyer, Staci Hudy, Sara Sharp, Trevor Michaels, Adam Priestley

Impacts
Several findings were reached through research conducted on this project. Results of an experiment demonstrated that a relatively new amphibian marking technique will last for more than a year, and that certain colors are more effective than others (Heemeyer et al. In press). Our long-term research demonstrated that ponds with greater herbaceous cover are more likely to support reproduction of flatwoods salamanders. Another ongoing study demonstrated that wetlands used by bog turtles have more litter and less open mud and water when livestock are excluded, and that water levels vary in these wetlands. We developed a GIS model that accurately predicts high-quality habitat for timber rattlesnakes in the mountains of Virginia.

Publications

• Gorman, Thomas A. and Carola A. Haas. Influence of vegetation structure, hydrology, and fish on occupancy of breeding wetlands by flatwoods salamander larvae. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract). Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. September 25, 2007. Tucson, Arizona.
• Hudy, Staci, Sara Sharp, Jessica Homyack, and Carola Haas. Association of Plethodon cinereus with coverboards across low and high salamander densities. Northeast Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract). August 21, 2007. Mountain Lake Biological Station, Virginia. Poster.
• Heemeyer, J., J. Homyack, and C. Haas. 2008. Retention and readability of visible implant elastomer marks in red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). Herpetological Review. In press.
• Sucre, E., J. Homyack, T. Fox, and C. Haas. 2007. The influence of red backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) on nutrient cycling in Appalachian hardwood forests. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report.
• Gorman, T. and J. Homyack. 2007. Graduate Students and the Building of Professional Communities. [Edited]. The Wildlife Professional. Fall Issue, pages 28-29.
• Pinder, M.J., and D. Garst. 2007. Rattles in the Wilderness. Virginia Wildlife 68(5):31-35.
• Homyack, Jessica A. and Carola A. Haas. 2007. The long-term effects of oak regeneration methods on terrestrial salamander populations up to 13-years post-treatment. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract). Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society. September 25, 2007. Tucson, Arizona.
• Homyack, Jessica A. and Carola A. Haas. 2007. Influence of red-backed salamanders on invertebrate communities and leaf litter decomposition. Annual meeting of the Virginia State Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract). February 15, 2007. Staunton, VA.
• Sucre, E.B. J.A. Homyack and T.R. Fox. 2007. The role of Eastern Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) on leaf litter decomposition & nutrient cycling in southern Appalachian hardwood forests. Electronic conference proceedings (abstract). Fourteenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. February 28, 2007. Athens, GA.
• Garst, D. W. May 2007. Habitat Analysis, Distribution, and Conservation of the Timber Rattlesnake in Virginia. Masters of Science Thesis, Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.