Marten Use of Habitat in a Commercially Clear Cut Forest During Summer
- Major, John Thomas
University of Maine Graduate School
Summer habitat use by marten (Martes americana) was studied in an area of northern Maine where commercial clear-cutting was conducted 3-18 years ago. Four adult resident marten (3M:1F) were equipped with radio collars. Information on habitat use was obtained from 1350 radio locations. Marten were found to under utilize the regenerating clear-cuts most of the summer, although the availability of red raspberries as food was believed responsible for increased use of this habitat in late summer. Marten rely on the uncut softwood residual stands and partially-cut mixedwoods throughout the summer. Commercial clear-cutting, though not a recommended management practice for marten, can be compatable with the maintenance of a residual marten population if sufficient uncut and partially-cut softwoods and softwood-dominated mixedwoods are retained.
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