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    Plethodon – Woodland salamanders

    These salamanders are living indicators of environmental health, also called slimy salamanders

    Members in this s genus are referred to also as slimy salamanders. In the forest ecology, these salamanders are thought to be indicator species. Organisms whose population abundance points to a particular environmental situation include indicator species like the forest salamander.

    Only a small range of temperature change and moisture are acceptable to these salamanders. The woodlands of North America are home to vast populations of woodland salamanders. Their abundance and function as arthropod predators have an impact on nutrition and carbon cycling in forest ecosystems.

    The disappearance of woodland salamanders could significantly change the interactions in forest floor food webs because they can play a substantial role in these webs.