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Potential Effects of Climate Change on Ambystoma barbouri (Streamside Salamander)

Open-File Report 2021-1104-C
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211104C

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Abstract

Ambystoma barbouri (streamside salamanders) are stream-breeding mole salamanders that rely on seasonally intermittent, fishless streams for egg and larval development but are primarily fossorial as adults. Climate-driven changes are likely to alter streamflow duration, peak, and seasonality within the range of A. barbouri, reducing reproductive habitat and larval survival. Although future changes in precipitation volume within the geographic range of A. barbouri are uncertain, in the next 90 years, increasing temperatures will likely increase potential evapotranspiration. Decreasing ratio of precipitation to potential evapotranspiration will likely shorten flow duration for intermittent streams, potentially causing earlier stream dry downs before larval metamorphosis. Increased temperatures may also shorten developmental periods buffering A. barbouri larvae from the effects of increased stream no-flow days. Additionally, precipitation in the future will increasingly fall in heavy rainfall events. Heavy rain and subsequent flooding during early larval stages may displace A. barbouri larvae from fishless pools into downstream reaches with vertebrate predators that can reduce survival. Finally, agriculture and urban land cover may amplify the stresses of climate change on A. barbouri, altering reproductive habitat and reducing survival of larval, juvenile, and adult life stages.

Suggested Citation

Lyons, M.P., LeDee, O.E., and Boyles, R., 2023, Potential effects of climate change on Ambystoma barbouri (streamside salamander): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2021–1104–C, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211104C.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Climate Context
  • Hydrological Context
  • Climate Change Projections
  • Future Hydrology
  • Reproduction and Recruitment
  • Survival
  • Biotic Interactions
  • Phenology
  • Habitat
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Potential effects of climate change on Ambystoma barbouri (streamside salamander)
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2021-1104
Chapter C
DOI 10.3133/ofr20211104C
Year Published 2023
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
Description Report: vi, 14 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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