Living at high altitude: Testing the effects of life history traits upon the conservation of salamandra lanzai (amphibia, salamandridae)

Abstract

Conservation plans of European amphibians usually take into account: (1) species in dramatic decline due to a series of humaninduced factors, and (2) species with a narrow distribution area and/or particular ecological requirements. Salamandra lanzai belongs to the second group, being limited to the SW Alps. Furthermore, it is a high altitude amphibian, living in sites above 1200 m, and it is also a unique endemic vertebrate of the Alps. We here summarise information regarding its distribution and ecology to be interpreted for conservation. In this sense, we also provide new data regarding the age structure of a recently studied low altitude population in the Germanasca Valley. We then compare this population (exemplified as “low altitude population”) to a population living at 2200 m in the Guil Valley (example of a “high altitude population”). The knowledge obtained on these different life-history traits has allowed us to devise an age-structured model useful in identifying the main demographic parameters which influence population growth. Some simulations are conducted with parameters obtained in populations exposed to contrasting environments. The results are then used to propose guidelines for conservation. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.