Ecology and Vulnerability

Blue-spotted Salamander

Overall, climate change literature is sparse for RSGCN amphibians, particularly salamanders in the northeastern U.S, with only two types of biological responses documented in the literature search (Figure 2.12). The species richness of amphibian communities is particularly at risk to local decreases in water availability during breeding seasons and warmer winters (Miller et al., 2018). For many amphibian species, like the Green Salamander, natural history research is still needed to understand their biological responses. For example, only one study in Tennessee was found citing climate change threats such as habitat shifts and alteration, droughts, and temperature extremes but no underlying drivers or mechanisms resolved (Niemiller et al., 2022). Global research has shown that altered precipitation regimes due to climate change can effect life history traits; for example, frog body size has historically adapted to changing temperature and precipitation rates (Sheridan et al., 2022).

Shifts in Range, Elevation, or Depth

Climate suitability for Blue-spotted Salamanders projected for 2050 and 2070 in the eastern United States and Canada shows that most (91%) of the current (1960-1990) range will still be suitable. Furthermore, range expansion northward could occur as suitable habitats may be available as far north as 55° N, such as Alaska and parts of the Hudson Bay region in Canada (Widmer et al., 2022).