Habitat selection by marten (Martes americana) in managed mixedwood forests of the boreal white and black spruce biogeoclimatic zone of northeastern British Columbia
Date
2002
Authors
Therrien, Steve
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Abstract
I studied macro and micro-habitat selection by marten (Martes americana) in a mixedwood forest of the Boreal White and Black Spruce Biogeoclimatic zone. I also examined the short-term effects of partial-cut systems on marten in the study area. The mean home range area (kernel 80 %) for male (n=7) and female (n=4) marten was 5.4 and 2.4 km2, respectively. At the macro-habitat scale of selection, eight of the radio collared marten avoided the inclusion of habitat-types characterised by either sparse or shrubby vegetation, or pole trees within their core use areas (kernel 50 %). Five marten preferably incorporated late- successional mixedwood of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and white spruce (Picea glauca) habitat-types within their core areas.
Core areas of male and female marten contained an average proportion of 47 and 70% of mature forests, respectively, while the availability was 37 % in the study area. The study martens used the partial-cuts to their availability at the stand scale within their home ranges. At the micro-habitat scale of selection, structural habitat characteristics at marten locations within core areas were compared to random plots within the study area. Compared to random sites, marten locations had greater stockings of large diameter trees, greater stockings of large diameter snags, and greater abundance of large coarse woody debris. Marten activity in the partial-cut treatments was compared to that in control stands, during early and late winter by snow-tracking sampling.
Marten hunting activity was greater in the partial-cuts during early winter, but decreased to a level similar to the controls in late winter. In controls, marten foraging activity was not affected by winter progression. During snow-tracking, resting sites were found at comparable occurrences in treatments and controls. All resting sites were associated with large coarse woody debris covered with snow. The partial-cut systems examined represent a valuable alternative to clearcutting, to preserve marten habitat in mixedwood forests. In my study area, the physical structures intrinsic to late successional forests appeared to be determinant in the ecology of marten. If forest management strategies aim at maintaining minimal levels of marten habitat within harvest units, the retention or the re-construction of physical structure must represent an integrated silviculture practice.