• Payer, David C.
  
• Harrison, Daniel J.
  

American marten requires complex vertical and horizontal structures, which have often been associated with mature and over-mature conifer forests within the western portion of the species' range in North America. Structural attributes of forests such as trees, snags, and other coarse woody material provide subnivean access to prey and resting sites during winter, function as important habitat components for primary species, provide resting and den sites and provide marten with protection and escape from predators.