Monitoring the Usage of Manmade Coverboards by Terrestrial Salamanders in Already Ample Habitat

Presentation Year

2026

College or Department

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)

This study examined whether artificial coverboards influence terrestrial salamander refugia use relative to natural cover objects in forest habitat. Surveys conducted twice weekly recorded salamander presence, abundance, species identity, and the microhabitat conditions. Abundance and occupancy were modeled against cover type and environmental variables. Salamanders were more frequently encountered under coverboards, suggesting that these structures provide stable, moist microclimates. Humidity and weather were significant predictors of abundance. The species Ensatina eschscholtzii and Batrachoseps attenuatus are the only two observed salamanders found in all cover types.

Permission to Publish Work

Yes

Presentation File Upload

wildlife-tucker-nicacio-196273-3x4.pdf (18.64 KB)

Primary Contact: First Name

Nicacio

Primary Contact: Last Name

Tucker

Primary Contact: Email

nat44@gmail.com

Primary Contact: I am a

Undergraduate Student

Primary Contact: Phone Number

7024238886

Indicate File Dimensions

4'x3'