Responses of Forest Floor Vertebrates to Riparian Hardwood Conversion Along the Bear River, Southwest Washington

The abundance, distribution, and health of small mammals and amphibians were monitored in the early stages of conversion from riparian red alder to coniferous, as required for salmon habitat. The treatments that reduced alder and moss cover increased the shrub and forb cover, and had small impacts on the microclimate. There were large differences in the density of torrent salamanders between conversion and control sites, and moderate differences for giant salamanders. Three species of shrews showed little impacts of the conversion, while there was a positive impact on the mass of red-legged frogs.