Habitat Characteristics and Distribution of American Marten (Martes Americana) in the Manistee National Forest.

• Main Author: Poling, Mitchell
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: ScholarWorks@GVSU 2012
• Subjects: Environment; American marten; Martes americana
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/ssd/2012/oral_visual/76

American marten (Martes Americana) are a species that were extirpated from Michigan and reintroduced into the state in the late 1980s. Historically, they have been know to occupy habitats that consist primarily of spruce and fir, however, many of these studies were done in the Northwestern United States. The goal of this study is to determine if they prefer these habitats in the Manistee National Forest in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and if not, what habitat type they are commonly found nesting in. In addition to habitat type, it is important to learn if nesting is based on random selection instead of preference, and if roads or disturbed/open areas are a factor. Five radio-collared marten will have their location periodically recorded over two months to analyze their location in relation to forest type. This information can then be applied to analyze the occurrence of these ecosystem types within their home range and in the entirety of Manistee National Forest.