Ecology and Vulnerability

Eastern Tiger 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

Shifting hydrology and precipitation influenced the wetland use of Eastern Tiger Salamanders in a multi-year (2012-2014) study in Iowa (Lannoo and Stiles, 2022). Vernal pool use shifted between wet and dry years; both Eastern Tiger Salamander and Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) occupancy decreased in seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands in dry years while occupancy increased in permanent wetlands in dry years; the opposite was true in wet years (Lannoo and Stiles, 2022). Research out of the NE CASC shows that vernal pool seasonal duration is likely to change with climate change, but there is potential for vernal pool refugia to persist long enough for amphibians to complete their breeding cycles (Cartwright et al., 2022).