Distribution of Pacific Marten in Coastal Oregon

Abstract

Abstract Information on the distribution of rare and little known species is critical for managers and biologists challenged with species conservation in an uncertain future. Pacific Martens (Martes caurina) historically resided throughout Oregon and northern California's coastal forests, but were considered extinct until 1996 when a population in northern California was rediscovered. Only 26 verified contemporary (1989–2012) records were known within Oregon prior to this survey. The coastal subspecies (M. c. humboldtensis) was petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2010. We surveyed for martens during 2014–2015 with 3 separate, non-invasive surveys. We conducted exploratory surveys in 2014, and surveyed at 2 scales during 2015 to confirm the persistence of historical populations ( 1...