Distribution of Ambystoma maculatum among different habitat types surrounding a single breeding pond

We studied an Ambystoma maculatum population whose terrestrial habitat varied in forest age, forest extent and edge type to determine how microhabitats differed between habitats, whether A. maculatum were distributed non-randomly, and whether individuals in different habitats differed physiologically.  We found that breeding adults migrated in a non-random pattern.  There were significant differences among habitats in soil temperature, soil moisture, leaf litter depth, and standing tree density.  However, forest extent and edge type best explained differences in salamander abundance among habitats.  Ambystoma maculatum consistently migrated to and from the extensive, mature forest (East) in the greatest numbers and to and from the younger, restricted forest with a road edge (West) in the fewest numbers.  Numbers of A. maculatum migrating to and from a mature, restricted forest with an agricultural edge (North) and a younger, restricted forest with a residential age (South) were intermediate.  Animals migrating from East were significantly older than animals migrating from North, and animals migrating from East were significantly larger (SVL) than animals migrating from North and South.  However, relative growth and recapture rates were similar among individuals occupying different habitats.  There was no relationship between extent of lateral movement and habitat or characteristics of the individual’s age or growth rate. We suggest that protection efforts should focus on extensive, forested habitat surrounding wetlands, that residential and agricultural edges may be more permeable than road edges for this species and that forest stand age may be less important to habitat quality than canopy cover.