Woody Debris Impacts on Amphibians and Reptiles

What is it about?

Coarse woody debris has been identified as a key forest structural component serving as an important microhabitat for a variety of wildlife, particularly moisture and temperature sensitive groups such as amphibians and reptiles. Our study objective was to assess amphibian and reptile response to coarse woody debris manipulations within managed loblolly pine stands. Overall, amphibian and reptile response to our coarse woody debris treatments was negligible.

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Why is it important?

Dominant amphibian and snake species captured in our study are adapted to burrowing in sandy soil or taking refuge under leaf litter. Amphibian and reptile species endemic to upland southeastern Coastal Plain pine forests may not have evolved to rely on woody debris because the humid climate and short fire return interval resulted in historically low volumes of woody debris.

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