An assessment of expert-based marten habitat models used for forest management in Ontario

Abstract

We used marten snow tracking data and a previously developed empirical habitat model from northeastern Ontario to validate a number of expert-based, non-spatial marten habitat models. In particular, we tested the non-spatial Ontario Wildlife Habitat Analysis Model, the Boreal East Habitat Suitability Matrix (including tests of both standard forest units and development stages), and Allen's (1982) HSI model. Marten habitat use as measured by tracks in the snow was consistent with predictions of all the expert-based models, suggesting that these models correctly characterized the standlevel forest cover selected by marten in winter. Suitability ranks for individual stands derived from standard forest units and development stages also were consistent with their use by marten. The empirical model was consistent with the expert-based models in that it considered suitable forest stands to be those with tall trees dominated by spruce (Picea spp.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees, with a large amount of coarse woody debris, and high canopy closure. Our findings suggested that the expert-based models were able to characterize stand structure used by marten despite some of the models using only inputs available from stand inventories. This was accomplished because stand structural elements such as coarse woody debris were integrated into OWHAM and HSM indirectly, through relationships with stand age and species composition.Key words: boreal forest, forest inventory, habitat, habitat suitability, guidelines, Forest Ecosystem Classification, landscape, Martes americana, resource selection, snow tracking, spatial autocorrelation, stand structure RÉSUMÉNous avons utilisé des données de pistes sur neige de martre et un modèle de qualité de l'habitat empirique existant du nord-est de l'Ontario pour valider quelques modèles non-spatiaux d'habitat de la martre et basés sur la littérature (experts). En particulier, nous avons testé le Modèle non-spatial d'Analyse de l'Habitat pour la Faune de l'Ontario, la Matrice de Qualité de l'Habitat Boréal Est (incluant les tests des unités forestières standard et des stades de développement), et le Modèle IQH d'Allen (1982). La distribution des pistes sur neige de martre correspondait aux prévisions de tous les modèles experts, ce qui suggère que ces modèles ont caractérisé correctement le couvert forestier des peuplements choisis par la martre à l'hiver. Les rangs de qualité des peuplements individuels dérivés des Unités Forestières standard ainsi que les stades de développement correspondaient également à leur usage par la martre. Le modèle empirique correspondait aux modèles experts en ce qu'ils considéraient les peuplements forestiers de qualité s'ils étaient constitués de grands arbres et d'une grande quantité d'épinettes (Picea spp.) et de sapins baumiers (Abies balsamea), de débris ligneux et d'une canopée fermée. Nos résultats suggèrent que les modèles experts étaient capables de caractériser la structure des peuplements utilisés par la martre en dépit du fait que certai...

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Evaluating the relationship between trapper harvest of American martens (Martes americana) and the quantity and spatial configuration of habitat in the boreal forests of Ontario, Canada

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