In the springs of 1995 and 1996, Herbeck and Larsen found five times more plethodontid salamanders in the old growth than in the second growth and twenty times more salamanders in the second growth than in the regenerating forests. No redback salamanders were found on recently cut sites. The only longtail salamander was found in the old-growth of Big Spring Pines Natural Area. Plethodontid salamanders have no lungs and respire by means of their skins, which need to be moist. They are thus particularly dependent on a moist habitat.
Pledthodontid salamanders are key components of the energy flow of forest ecosystems.
They eat prey too small for birds and small mammals and are themselves consumed by the larger vertebrates. Forest management should take in to account the salamanders habitat needs. Good Thing Somebody Made A Park. Elizabeth Hunter reflects on a hike through unlogged tulip trees and hemlock in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She wishes that people would stop justifying the preservation of natural areas on the basis that they may shelter species that can cure human illnesses.