The Red Hills of south-central Alabama support a diverse assemblage of wildlife and wildlife habitat.  In a narrow band of this unique physiographic province between the Alabama and Conecuh Rivers is the global range of the federally threatened Red Hills salamander.  Historically, the habitats within the salamander’s range included heavily forested ravines, steep hillsides, and floodplains in addition to open or semi-open longleaf pine woodlands that occurred on the dry ridges of this area.  This ecological matrix of xeric piney woodlands-mesic deciduous slopes and ravines and bottomlands supported highly diverse natural communities that included species adapted to dry, fire-maintained systems in addition to those occurring within moist hardwood forests.  In many areas of the Red Hills, the composition of the mesic ravines, slopes, and bottomlands remain forested in mixed southern hardwoods.  However, the open longleaf pine woodlands of the ridges have been altered and essentially replaced by commercial pine plantations. 

             With this project, series of intensive surveys in salamander habitat as well as on the adjoining ridges, are being made to survey Red Hills salamander habitat for the purpose of delineating habitat and populations, estimating population size; quantifying habitat and preparing a qualitative description.  Surveys on the ridges will include the identification and delineation of areas for restoration; description of current habitat condition; preparation of a management plan that focuses on restoration recommendations. 

Guyer Lab

Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University