Plethodon cinereus(Eastern Red-Backed Salamander) Not Affected by Long-Term Exposure to Soil Liming

Abstract

Abstract The recovery of ecosystems affected by anthropogenic acidification is often a slow process, and one that is not always achievable through natural means. Application of carbonate materials to forest soils is being used more frequently to aid in the recovery of acidified ecosystems. However, few studies have addressed how the application of carbonate materials affects amphibians. We sampled field sites undergoing long-term application of high-calcium lime to investigate the effects of increases in soil pH on body condition and population demography of Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander). We found no effect of soil liming on body condition, population demographics, or density of surface-active Eastern Red-backed Salamanders. Our results are consistent with previous studies regarding the response of this species to soil liming, but unique in that they arise from an investigation of the long-term effects of liming exposure on density and demography in a wild population of Eastern Red-ba...