USGS study finds red-backed salamanders more abundant in northeastern US forests, impacting ecosystem health and concerns over Bsal fungal disease.

The US Geological Survey revealed a study showing red-backed salamanders are more abundant than previously thought in northeastern US forests, with densities and biomass in the region significantly higher than expected. This large population of salamanders, along with other amphibians, suggests they play a crucial role in the ecosystem health of northeastern forests, which is highlighted by their high biomass similar to or greater than white-tailed deer. This discovery coincides with concerns about the potential impact of batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a fungal disease closely related to the chytrid fungus that has devastated amphibian populations in Europe. A North American Bsal Task Force is working to limit its invasion and reduce its impact in the U.S., and research has confirmed that proactive management of wild populations before Bsal arrives is more effective at preserving salamanders than reactive measures or inaction.

August 26, 2024
181 Articles