Date of Award

8-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Forestry and Environmental Conservation

Committee Chair/Advisor

Kyle Barrett

Committee Member

Catherine Bodinof Jachowski

Committee Member

JJ Apodaca

Abstract

Wildlife all over the world face habitat loss as land is used for urban development, agriculture, forestry, and more. Attempting to conserve this biodiversity can be an overwhelming task due to limited resources. Having accurate information on animal occurrence is imperative for understanding what habitats are vital to species survival. Such information can be difficult to acquire given the elusive nature of some wildlife species. However, novel techniques like the use of environmental DNA, can help improve detection of rare and imperiled species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to the DNA from target species that is left behind in the environment from bits of dead skin, hair, and more. Surveying for eDNA allows biologists to detect species presence by minimizing the effort needed to achieve detection. Information on presence or absence can then better advise conservation management action and policy. I tested the usefulness of environmental DNA as a survey method to determine the recent presence of the threatened Red Hills Salamander in terrestrial and self-constructed burrows. I also evaluated several habitat factors that might influence selection of burrow placement within a known occupied site. I found that eDNA outperformed visual surveying techniques by nearly a factor of three and identified Red Hills Salamander presence in burrow types typically ignored by surveyors. However, I also found that eDNA missed detections of burrows where I had previously seen salamanders. Leaf litter, the distance to large objects such as trees and boulders, soil compaction, and the distance to other burrows were all important drivers of resource selection for Red Hills Salamander burrow placement. My understanding of habitat requirements for burrow placement did not change whether I identified burrows based on eDNA and visual identification or from burrow appearance alone. I suggest that any restoration of habitat for Red Hills Salamanders consider the novel variables when either choosing to restore or actively restoring a site. This thesis will help future species managers improve their survey efforts and give them new habitat factors to consider when trying to conserve Red Hills Salamander habitats.

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Available for download on Tuesday, August 31, 2027

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