Description

Abstract: Understanding wildlife responses to climate change has never been more urgent. For species with wide geographic ranges, there can be substantial variation in population processes and the effects from environmental change. Terrestrial salamanders in the genus Plethodon are often used in ecological studies as a key component of forest ecosystems, where lungless respiration through their skin and high abundance serves as a commonly used indicator of forest health. The eastern red-backed salamander (P. cinereus) is the most widespread and commonly studied species, yet most studies focus on local population dynamics. Understanding larger scale spatiotemporal patterns in population dynamics in relation to climate requires expanding beyond studies at single institutions. The Salamander Population and Adaptation Research Collaboration Network (SPARCnet) was founded in 2013 by researchers at Pennsylvania State University and the USGS Northeast Amphibian and Research Monitoring Initiative (NEARMI). It has since grown to include collaborators at 19 institutions and 8 education organizations. SPARCnet aims to provide a consistent framework for understanding population trends in P. cinereus, while delivering education opportunities for students. Researchers, educators, and citizen scientists apply the same cover-board plot study design and sampling methods across the range of the salamander in eastern and north-central North America. Most participants mark the salamanders they find, and thus have long-term spatial-capture-recapture data, along with basic population demographic data. Educators at these institutions are also developing course-based research modules available as open education resources for collaborative teaching. This network serves as an important model for bringing field research to students and building robust population data for species with wide geographic ranges.

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