Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11

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Evaluation

The spring salamander should be considered Special Concern in Canada because of its limited range in Canada; its normally low abundance in suitable habitats in northeastern America; its delayed sexual maturity; which suggests a low recruitment rate and the need for a stable environment; its specialized habitat requirement for clear, cool, forested, mountain streams; its vulnerability to changes in its ecosystem due to human activities including elimination of forest cover at the stream edge, modification to the water regime, increased sedimentation, pollution, introduction of predatory fish, etc.;  the impact on its survival due to extended logging activities within its distribution range in Canada; the impact of habitat transformation resulting from the recent increase in development for housing and recreation within its distribution range in Canada; and the limited protection afforded to the species and its habitat, which cannot counteract these negative habitat trends.

The two distinct Appalachian and Adirondack populations should be considered in conservation initiatives. The Adirondack population has a very restricted range and presently has no habitat protection. This population is therefore at greater risk and its conservation should receive priority. The Appalachian population occurs in several mountains and few of these subpopulations benefit from habitat protection. Headwater stream habitat protection is required in Mts Brome, Elephant, Shefford, Stokes and Sutton especially. Protection initiatives should focus on headwater stream populations and other high density populations, as these probably supply colonists for other populations downstream.

Our knowledge of populations at the margin of the species' distribution range is limited, especially in mountainous areas along the northeastern edge. The persistence of populations in old localities is also poorly known. A more accurate status evaluation would require more precise knowledge of the species range boundaries and population trends.