| Decades of research has been conducted on amphibians in managed forests, particularly intensively managed forests. However, relatively little is still known about the use of managed forests by amphibians, especially California forests practicing multi-aged silviculture. Large knowledge gaps still exist for forest managers for how to best protect amphibians coming under review or that are currently listed under federal or state Endangered Species Act in California, leaving forest managers without the proper guidance to avoid incidental take. In 2017, property-wide amphibian surveys began as part of a long-term amphibian study by Collins Pine Company in multi-aged silviculture across 95,000 ac of mixed conifer forest. Study sites included meadows, meadow ponds, streams, and human-made waterholes. In 2017, 33 sites were surveyed for amphibians. Five amphibian and two reptile species were detected, including two special-status amphibians, and 13 sites had evidence of breeding from three species. Long-term goals of the study are to (1) Identify where amphibians are occurring and breeding across the property, (2) Better understand landscape- and site-scale habitat selection, and (3) Assess influence of logging history on amphibian occurrence. Continuation of surveys will allow for a better understanding of amphibian occurrence in multi-aged forests of northern California. |