Home-range size and habitat selection by American marten ( Martes americana) in Labrador
Variation in home-range size can be related to different factors at different spatial scales. This study examined the patterns of home-range size and habitat selection of American marten (Martes americana) in southeastern Labrador, a region of extensive and pristine forests. Over 1.5 years, we monit...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
2002
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z02-166 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z02-166 |
| Summary: | Variation in home-range size can be related to different factors at different spatial scales. This study examined the patterns of home-range size and habitat selection of American marten (Martes americana) in southeastern Labrador, a region of extensive and pristine forests. Over 1.5 years, we monitored 28 radio-collared marten and compared the availability of habitat types with their use. Marten avoided areas with low productivity and low canopy cover (<20%) but showed no selection for tree species composition or cover among more productive forests. Mean home ranges for both sexes (males, 45.0 km 2 females, 27.6 km 2 ) were exceptionally large, more than double the largest values previously recorded for the species. We analyzed variation in home-range size at two scales: within our study population and, using data from the literature, among populations across the species range in relation to temperature, snow cover, and body size. Within our population, home-range area was positively related to the proportion of bog and less productive, scrub forests in the home range. Among populations, differences in home-range size were not significantly related to any of the tested factors. |
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