Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
Winter 11-10-2025
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Biology, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Chase Kinsey
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Salamanders utilize cutaneous respiration, making them vulnerable to pollution, shifts in water chemistry, and habitat degradation. Increased anthropogenic habitat use may be a detriment to local salamander populations and pollution increases with land use. Understanding how water quality influences salamander abundance, diversity and physiological condition is crucial for amphibian conservation and for assessing freshwater ecosystem health, as they serve as a key bioindicator species. The objective of this study was to examine how variation in water quality parameters influences salamander species abundance, diversity and locomotor performance across stream sites within Warner Parks in Nashville, Tennessee. Field sampling was conducted weekly across five stream sites of varying pedestrian use during June 2025. Water quality at each site was measured using a multiparameter YSI meter and locomotor performance captured using high speed cameras with escape velocity as a proxy for physiological health. Salamander abundance and locomotor performance was significantly and negatively correlated with conductivity and specific conductance, while other predictors such as dissolved oxygen, barometric pressure, and temperature were not significant. Streams with higher ionic stress supported fewer salamanders with slower performance velocities, while cleaner sites supported greater abundance and faster individuals. This study highlights the role of salamanders as sentinel species whose population trends and health metrics can reveal broader patterns of freshwater degradation. By demonstrating that ionic pollution strongly influences salamander health, this research underscores the importance of monitoring water chemistry in conservation planning.
Recommended Citation
Fortney, Tatum P. and Kinsey, Chase, "Evaluating the Effects of Water Quality and Anthropogenic Disturbance on Salamander Species Diversity, Abundance and Health in Warner Parks" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 305.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/305
