Salamander Diversity of Southwest Virginia

1. Introduction
   • Display slides of local salamanders
   • What makes a salamander a salamander?

    

2. Salamanders
   • Habitat
     • niche species
     • wetlands
   • Life Cycle
   • Community Dynamics

    

3. Forests and Salamanders
   • What do salamanders use the forest for?
     • interconnectedness to the ecosystem
   • Human Impact and Scientific Studies
     • timber harvest
     • farm runoff
     • climate change

    

4. Why are amphibians vulnerable to environmental change?
   • Sensitivity
   • Interconnectedness

      

5. Conclusion
• How is Southwest Virginia a friendly place for salamanders to live?
• Do salamanders live in your backyard?

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Questions:

1. What purpose do vernal pools serve for salamanders?
2. How many stages are in the salamander life cycle?
3. Do blue-gill fish eat salamanders or do dalamanders eat blue-gill fish?