Microhabitat Selection of Pacific Giant Salamander Larvae

Pacific giant salamander larvae (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) inhabit headwater streams and are sensitive to heavy sedimentation and stream degradation. I looked at levels of sedimentation within and between plots in a headwater stream, and salamander use of substrate types to determine if they were selecting against sediment. I found that they used sediment proportionately less than it was available and small woody debris proportionately more than it was available. Pacific giants are indicators of stream quality, and can be used to direct management and logging regulations.https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/wildlife_posters/1000/thumbnail.jp