Northwest Ecological Research Institute (NERi)
$42,400

We propose to determine the population status and genetic variation of two State “sensitive species” of stream amphibians in the Oregon Coast Range: (1) Southern Torrent Salamander (earlier proposed for listing at the Federal level) and (2) Coastal Tailed Frog (ranked as #2 priority species in the Coast Range from the Oregon Conservation Strategy).  We will re-survey 20 headwaters that were first sampled in 1984/85 and published results reported that clear-cut logging significantly reduced these sensitive species. We revisited sites in 1996 and 2004. Previous results, combined with this new study, will be the first to indicate how long it takes for stream amphibians to recover from clear-cut logging. It is one of the longest running studies in the U.S. At these 20 sites (and others in the Coast Range), we will take tissue samples to better identify genetic distinctiveness of the two species here. Preliminary data suggested these are at least Evolutionary Significant Units or, perhaps, new species. Description as new species will require other lines of evidence including available data in the literature and new measurements of selected samples. Field efforts will include students and interested public through Umpqua Watersheds and Umpqua Community College (UCC), Roseburg, Oregon. Public outreach includes speaking at UCC natural resources classes and on a local radio show.