Tracking reticulated flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) recovery in response to habitat restoration and assisted translocations

Abstract The degradation and loss of suitable breeding habitat can be a major driver of amphibian declines. In the southeastern United States, historical fire suppression resulted in overgrown wetlands (i.e., high shrub and tree cover and low herbaceous ground cover) that no longer serve as suitable breeding sites for specialist amphibians. Over the past 14 years, extensive wetland restoration efforts have been conducted at Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin), located in the Florida Panhandle, to improve Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) breeding habitat. However, the response of salamander populations to these habitat changes has yet to be quantified. Here, we used dynamic, spatially explicit occupancy models to (1) document trends in wetland occupancy by flatwoods salamanders over time, and (2) evaluate the key drivers that influence occupancy. We also provide details of habitat restoration practices in an appendix. Overall, the total acreage of suitable habitat has doubled on Eglin in recent years, resulting in a subsequent tripling of the total number of wetlands occupied by flatwoods salamanders. Specifically, the average number of wetlands with larvae detected each year on Eglin has increased from 2.7 in the 7 years of monitoring before habitat management (2003–2009) to 10.4 within the last 7 years (2018–2024). Furthermore, our results confirm that spatial connectivity among wetlands and the availability of suitable habitat are the best predictors of salamander occupancy. Therefore, conservation and management actions should focus on improving habitat quality, especially in areas with high densities of wetlands.