Columbia Torrent Salamander

Overview

Species Common Name Columbia Torrent Salamander
Species Scientific Name Rhyacotriton kezeri
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Coast Range

Oregon’s Coast Range, known for its dramatic scenery, is extremely diverse, with habitats ranging from open sandy dunes to lush forests and from tidepools to headwater streams. It follows the coastline and extends east through coastal forest to the border of the Willamette Valley and Klamath Mountains ecoregions

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.

Special needs

Columbia torrent salamanders are found in cold mountain streams, spring heads, and seeps. They require reaches with loose gravel stream beds and generally prefer basalt over softer geological substrates. This species may be more common in high-gradient streams.

Limiting factors

Columbia torrent salamanders are highly sedentary and have limited dispersal capabilities. Adults are particularly sensitive to desiccation, and larvae are vulnerable to changes in stream flow.

Data gaps

Increase basic knowledge of abundance, distribution, and trends through inventory and monitoring. Evaluate response to forest management activities at varied scales.

Conservation actions

Retain stream buffers to maintain cool water temperatures and water clarity. Minimize habitat alteration and disturbance at suitable sites.