Scale dependent analyses of habitat selection by marten in the Sub-Boreal Spruce Biogeoclimatic Zone, British Columbia

Winter habitat selection by radio-collared marten (Martes americana) in the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) Biogeoclimatic Zone was examined at landscape, stand and patch scales between January 1988 and September 1991. Capture data indicate that the moist cold subzone of the SBS was more productive as marten winter habitat than the lower elevation dry cool subzone. Landscape scale habitat use for 7 adult marten (4 males, 3 females) revealed that marten preferentially included mature to old growth seral stage habitat types of mesic to hygric moisture regimes within their home ranges. Three male marten included substantial areas of young forest seral stage habitat types which may provide them with access to alternate prey during periods of high prey population cycles. Stand scale analyses indicate that, within individual home ranges, marten do not prefer any particular habitat types but do avoid some habitat types, particularly young seral stages, xeric habitat types and wetlands. This apparent lack of preference at the stand scale is likely a consequence of landscape level selectivity. Marten exhibited selectivity at the stand scale for habitats types classified by their structural features. These habitat preferences were related to the abundance of coarse woody debris, deciduous canopy closure, high shrub and low shrub closure, and abundance and size of trees and snags. At the stand scale, marten did not prefer any particular class of coniferous canopy closure. Within habitat types, marten were selective at the patch scale. Structural characteristics at marten sites were significantly different from the prevailing characteristics of the habitat types that these sites were in. iv Selectivity occurred for all structural attributes examined with the exception of mean snag diameter. My results have implications for forest management, in particular forest harvesting types, rates and cutblock sizes, site preparation tactics, and stand tending practices. If marten are to be maintained in an area, forest management practices must be implemented that promote a distribution of sera1 stages (including old growth) with structural features necessary for marten winter habitat.