This species inhabits spruce-fir, birch-hemlock, and primarily deciduous forests, and is also found in grassy spots and boulder fields. At lower elevations it has been found in coves associated with limestone and in mixed deciduous forests that occur below spruce-fir forests (Green et al. 2014). Along transects conducted at elevations above 1,400 m asl, this species is often the most encountered salamander. Surveys have found that the species appears to be shifting downslope, especially on north-facing slopes (K. Hamed pers. comm. August 2021). Individuals are typically found under rocks or logs, or in leaf-litter, during the day, and tend to be associated with rocky substrates. Breeding and non-breeding habitats are the same. This species breeds by direct development, and eggs are laid in small cavities in rotting conifer logs or beneath moss mats. It appears to be sensitive to habitat change and cannot tolerate disturbance (Braswell 1989, Petranka 1998).

This species inhabits high-elevation areas in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia on Whitetop, Mount Rogers and Pine Mountain, into extreme north-western Tennessee, and north-western North Carolina. This includes areas along the Unaka Mountain ridges and Grandfather Mountain (Pague 1991, Green et al. 2014). Subpopulations are apparently isolated from each other by uninhabited lower elevations (Pague 1991). However, as some subpopulations have been found at lower elevations, there is a small possibility that this species occurs in some intervening areas (NatureServe 2021). It occurs at elevations of 760 m asl or more, but chiefly in spruce forests above 1,500 m asl (Conant and Collins 1991). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 6,120 km².

Conservation Actions In-Place
Several of the mountain areas where this species occurs are on state or federal property (Green et al. 2014). In Virginia, all known subpopulations currently reside on protected lands in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. An agreement with the U.S. Forest Service in 1990 created a salamander management zone above 1,219 m asl, which encompasses all P. welleri habitat in the area (K. Hamed pers. comm. August 2021). The Grandfather Mountain population currently receives adequate protection by the current landowner. Due to the generally small and isolated subpopulations of this species, all subpopulations are vulnerable to accidents or policy changes in land management (Braswell 1989). It is listed as a Species of Special Concern in North Carolina and Virginia and as Wildlife in Need of Management in Tennessee.

In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).

Conservation Needed
Expansion of effective forest preservation and continued management of existing protected areas is recommended for the conservation of this species.

Research Needed
More information is needed on this species' distribution, population status, ecology, and threats. Population monitoring is also recommended, as this species may be vulnerable to sudden changes in conditions or management, and the disturbance and disappearance of the spruce-fir habitat on which it relies poses a long-term threat.