Effects of Timber Harvesting on Marten in Maine

Abstract

The influence of timber harvesting upon marten (Martes a. americana) was studied in sprucefir-hardwood forests in the Moosehead Lake Region, Maine, during 1974-77. Partial harvesting and commercial clear-cutting were examined. In the partially harvested forest, basal area was reduced by about 40%. In the commercial clear-cut forest, 50% of the forest was clear-cut and 25% was cut selectively. Density of adult, resident marten averaged 1.2/km2 in the undisturbed and partially harvested forests, but was 0.4/km2 in the commercial clear-cut forest. Home range lengths were longest in the commercial clearcut forest. In undisturbed forests, marten preferred softwood-dominated mixed stands. In the partially harvested forest, tracks were found in all cover types in proportion to the occurrence of the cover types. Marten rarely used the 0to 15-year-old clear-cut areas, but the associated lightly cut hardwood stands and islands of uncut softwoods were heavily used. Of the more common foods eaten by marten, meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), ground nesting birds, and raspberries (Rubus idaeus) were more abundant in the harvested forests, whereas red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) numbers were not affected by logging. Harvesting methods that maintain a residual stand of 20-25 m2/ha basal area in pole and larger trees provide adequate habitat for marten. Clear-cuts up to 15 years old are poor marten habitat. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 43(4):850-860 Marten are generally associated with the climax coniferous forest communities of North America (Marshall 1951a, de Vos 1952). The marten's decline in its eastern range has been attributed to destruction of such forests by logging and fire (Aldous and Mendall 1941, Bergerud 1969, Forbes 1970, Dodds and Martell 1971). Timber harvesting continues to be a dominant force in establishing and maintaining seral plant and animal communities in the eastern marten's present and former range. I studied the effects of partial timber harvesting and commercial clear-cutting on a population of marten in the Moosehead Lake Region of Maine during 197477. The findings provide a foundation on which to plan management practices that affect the eastern marten. I am indebted to M. W. Coulter for his guidance during the study and assistance in preparation of the manuscript. Scott Paper Company and the Boise Cascade Corporation provided the study area and access to cover maps and aerial photographs.