Spatial ecology and resource selection of a high-elevation American marten (<i>Martes</i> <i>americana</i>) population in the northeastern United States

Sirén, Alexej P. K.; Pekins, Peter J.; Ducey, Mark J.; Kilborn, Jillian R.

doi:10.1139/cjz-2015-0148

Cited by 14 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 60 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We determined the accuracy of our data loggers to detect radiocollared martens in high‐elevation habitat using ground telemetry locations with low predicted error (2 ha; Sirén et al ) and camera detections of uniquely marked individuals ( n = 30 camera stations; Sirén et al ). Specifically, we cross‐referenced data logger data with telemetry and camera‐trap locations within the study area ( n = 275 telemetry, n = 24 camera) and at low elevation ( n = 495 telemetry).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The American marten ( Martes americana ; hereafter, marten)—a territorial mesocarnivore living in subboreal and boreal forests of North America (Gibilisco )—is one of the most habitat‐specific carnivores in North America, requiring relatively large tracts of mature forest (Buskirk and Powell , Chapin et al ). Martens are highly mobile, have large home ranges relative to their body size, and often live in remote terrain; these factors make the species difficult to monitor using traditional techniques (Lindstedt et al , Sirén et al ). Martens are typically associated with older aged forest consisting of structurally complex stands (e.g., coarse woody debris; Potvin et al , Payer and Harrison , Godbout and Ouellet ) that provide refuge from predators (Buskirk and Ruggiero , Hodgman et al ), thermoregulatory advantage (Buskirk et al ), prey access (Sherburne and Bissonette ), and structure for denning and resting (Ruggiero et al ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Efficacy of remote telemetry data loggers for landscape‐scale monitoring: A case study of American martens

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Remote telemetry data loggers are commonly used for monitoring wildlife species. Although remote telemetry data loggers provide reliable microhabitat use data, few studies have used them to evaluate landscape‐scale, temporal, and spatial habitat use. We installed 3 data loggers along a mountain ridgeline that was being developed for a commercial wind farm in northern New Hampshire, USA, to monitor use of a high‐elevation forest by American martens (Martes americana). We tested 1) the efficacy of data loggers to record presence–absence and index space use in a 6.75‐km2 area, validating marten locations using radiotelemetry and camera traps; and 2) whether there were diel and seasonal biases of data logger detections. As a case study, we evaluated temporal and spatial habitat‐use hypotheses with respect to variations in vegetation cover (leaf‐on or leaf‐off) and astronomical seasons using data from 11 martens monitored for nearly 2 years (6 Feb 2011–23 Dec 2012). Data loggers recorded presence–absence of radiocollared martens across 80% (240 of 299) of the trials within the study area with few false positives (4%; 19 of 494 trials). Detection probability and spatial use were most influenced by elevation, distance to data loggers, and line‐of‐sight view. We did not detect a seasonal bias but data loggers recorded fewer nocturnal detections. We recorded 118,120 detections of radiocollared martens, most of which occurred during leaf‐off seasons (87%; 102,931). Spatial use declined significantly (β = −0.54, P = 0.04) during the first leaf‐on season, corresponding with the construction phase of the wind farm project, and remained lower throughout the study. Diel use was explained by an astronomical calendar with greater nocturnal use during autumn and winter. Our results show that remote telemetry data loggers provided accurate spatiotemporal data for landscape‐scale habitat monitoring, overcoming many of the problems with telemetry data—such as limited sampling period and bias—that can compromise measurements of space use. We suggest incorporating remote telemetry data loggers for space use and disturbance studies of wildlife species. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of remote telemetry data loggers for landscape‐scale monitoring: A case study of American martens

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Roads, however, require gentle slopes to allow for vehicle travel, which may facilitate access for coyotes, and partly explain greater use along wind farm roads. We suggest that the compounding effect of increased wind farm development and milder winters may degrade abiotic barriers and allow generalist carnivores to access high‐elevation habitat during a critical season for martens (Sirén et al 2016 b ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Approximately 28% of the landscape was managed forest (15% partially harvested and 13% regenerating forest), which included recent and regenerating clearcuts with trees <6 m tall. Sirén et al (2016 b ) provide a complete description of the forest and management.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Montane forest is considered regional climate refugia for martens because of deep snowpack and contiguous boreal habitat (Carroll ). However, high‐elevation (>823 m) wind farms require wide roads and openings that reduce functional connectivity for martens within home ranges (Moriarty et al , Tigner et al , Slauson et al ) and at larger scales (Cushman et al , Tigner et al , Sirén et al 2016 b , Slauson et al ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Potential influence of high‐elevation wind farms on carnivore mobility

Sirén¹,

Pekins²,

Kilborn

et al. 2017

J Wildl Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wind power development is regarded as a clean energy source. Efforts to mitigate climate change, however, may degrade habitat and compromise wildlife. During winter 2011–2012, we examined the potential influence of a wind farm on a community of carnivores in the New England‐Acadian Forest, northern New Hampshire, United States, with a focus on American martens (Martes americana), a mid‐ to late‐successional forest species adapted for snow. We counted marten, red fox (Vulpes fulva), and coyote (Canis latrans) tracks and measured snowpack along roads, and snowmobile and hiking trails to determine the relative influence of wind farms on space use for each species. We observed all species at high‐elevations (>823 m), although use frequency varied by road or trail type. As expected, we detected martens most often at high elevations along hiking trails and least often along wind farm roads. We observed the opposite pattern for red foxes and coyotes. Additionally, there was a higher probability of observing canids when snow depth increased and a lower probability when penetrability increased. Although our results indicate spatial partitioning, the edge habitat and compacted snow created by wind farm roads increased access for canids to high‐elevation forest. In addition to habitat loss and fragmentation, these conditions may increase competition for martens and lower population viability. Future wind development should minimize disturbance of rare habitats, especially those considered climate refugia. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

show abstract

American marten occupancy and activity patterns at the southern extent of their range in the eastern United States

Ashbrook,

Hapeman

2024

Ecology and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The relatively recent rediscovery of an American marten (Martes americana) population that was reintroduced over 30 years ago in southern Vermont provides an opportunity to investigate the relative importance of other mesocarnivores, and forest stand (e.g., DBH, downed logs, vertical structure) and habitat variables to their presence on the Green Mountain National Forest. Marten are state‐listed as an endangered species in Vermont and occur there at the southern extent of their range in the eastern United States. We collected detection data from camera surveys in 5 km2 units between 2019 and 2021 (December–April; n = 40 units, 238 cameras). We examined activity patterns and applied an occupancy modeling framework to the detection data to assess the relative importance of covariates at unit and camera levels and assess interactions of marten with other mesocarnivores. We did not find any unit‐level occupancy models with significant covariates that were better supported than the base model in the single‐season unit‐level analysis. Distance to the nearest release site was the covariate most supported for detectability at both spatial scales, and marten occupancy at the camera level was positively influenced by the amount of canopy cover. Two species interaction models did not indicate any positive or negative association beyond random with other mesocarnivores and activity patterns among mesocarnivores had substantial overlap. Marten recovery since the time of the reintroduction appears slow, and even 30 years later, the marten distribution is limited and suggests that dispersal is restricted at some level. We recommend a further investigation of the possible impact of other mesocarnivores to juvenile survival or other vital demographic rate (e.g., recruitment) in marten that were not explicitly measured in this study.

show abstract

Spatial ecology and resource selection of a high-elevation American marten (Martes americana) population in the northeastern United States

Cited by 14 publications

References 60 publications

Efficacy of remote telemetry data loggers for landscape‐scale monitoring: A case study of American martens

Efficacy of remote telemetry data loggers for landscape‐scale monitoring: A case study of American martens

Potential influence of high‐elevation wind farms on carnivore mobility

American marten occupancy and activity patterns at the southern extent of their range in the eastern United States

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About