Liming and spring salamander abundance

Abstract

AbstractEnvironmental acidification is affecting ecosystems around the globe, and as a result, managers are using limestone applications to mitigate the effects of acid rain and acid mine drainage. Limestone applications attempt to reverse acidification by increasing stream pH; however, liming can have variable effects on stream biota. We examined the effects of liming on spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) abundance in West Virginia, USA, from 10 June to 1 September 2013. We used multiple methods (i.e., leaf litterbags, visual encounter surveys, area constrained flip and search) to sample spring salamanders within 11 different streams in the Monongahela National Forest. Using N‐mixture models, which allow for estimation of abundance from count data and account for imperfect detection probabilities, we examined the effects of direct application liming (DAL) on spring salamander abundance. Direct application liming at a higher lime frequency did not have a significant effect on salamander abundance; however, we observed differences in spring salamander size in areas near the DAL site. These results have influenced management of limed streams and will enlighten managers to the effects of high frequency liming on salamander communities and other stream organisms, and will provide insights on how to mitigate potential impacts as a result of liming practices.