Microhabitat Associations for the Threatened Cheat Mountain Salamander in Relation to Early-stage Red Spruce Restoration Areas

Abstract The Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative was formed to promote restoration of red spruce Picea rubens forests in Appalachia. One goal the initiative is increase availability and enhance quality habitat for wildlife, including threatened Cheat Mountain salamander Plethodon nettingi. purpose this research compare microhabitat characteristics between an occupied site early-stage sites, four sites proximal nondetection sites. We found that soil pH higher moisture lower at compared with site, light intensity, subcanopy air temperature, ground-level temperature were reduced canopy cover. but not significantly different. Our study suggests salamanders are associated low high moisture, thus could species long-term.