Habitat suitability models of Korean crevice salamander (Karsenia koreana) at forested area in Daejeon metropolitan city, Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT

We studied the relationship between the Korean crevice salamander (Karsenia koreana) and several environmental factors, thereby contributing to the basic ecological knowledge required for the future conservation of salamander populations. The aims of this study were to derive a habitat suitability model for K. koreana using presence-absence data for the species and habitat factor information, and to identify the environmental factors that greatly influence the occurrence of K. koreana. In 2015 and 2017, 179 survey plots within five forested areas of Daejeon Metropolitan City were surveyed for the presence of K. koreana using both line transect surveys and time-constrained surveys. Three categories of environmental factors were measured for each habitat. Habitat suitability model of K. koreana was derived from this information, and factors that significantly affected the presence of K. koreana were determined. The presence of K. koreana was detected at 77 survey plots within the five forested areas. In terms of forest structural factors, the amount of coarse woody debris and the percentage cover of various substrate types were found to be major factors determining the occurrence of K. koreana. Leaf litter depth and pH were found to be important soil condition factors, and water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and channel width were the major water condition factors. These factors need to be referenced and utilized for the future conservation of the species, and extensive studies are needed to identify further correlations among these factors.

KEYWORDS:

• Environmental variable
• Plethodontid salamander
• forest ecosystem

Acknowledgments

We thank Daejeon Sejong Research Institute for enabling this study to be carried out in the forested area in Daejeon Metropolitan City. The authors also appreciate editors and anonymous reviewers who helped us to improve this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any institutes.