2.2. Effects of Deluge from Major Storm Events on Amphibians
A population decline in another stream-dwelling salamander (the Spring Salamander,
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) has been attributed to increased precipitation (leading to stream flooding
and high-velocity water flow) associated with climate change in northeastern North America [83].
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Lowe [83] suggested that mortality of metamorphosing individuals is high during spring and fall
floods, which have increased in volume and frequency with increasing precipitation in this region.
Consequently, adult recruitment in this population declined significantly over a 12-year period, with no
trend in larval abundance. Flooding, with its associated high water flow and transport of debris
(sediment, boulders, large sections of wood and other vegetation) has been linked to declines and
extirpations of a variety of other stream and river-dwelling amphibians as well [84