Ecology and Vulnerability

Peaks of Otter Salamander

The ecology of this taxonomic group is not well understood at this time. As additional research becomes available, we will update information for this taxonomic group. 

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).