Scale-Dependent Habitat Selectivity by Fishers in South-Central British Columbia

Abstract

We examined habitat selectivity by fishers (Martes pennanti) at 3 spatial scales in south-central British Columbia, Canada, from 1990 to 1993. We monitored radiomarked fishers and compared their use of habitats with the availability of these habitats at stand, patch, and element spatial scales. Fishers exhibited habitat selectivity for a variety of resources at different spatial scales. They selected habitats based on overhead cover, foraging, and snow interception at the stand and patch spatial scales. Habitats used by fishers for resting and denning were selected at all 3 spatial scales. When using stands or patches of habitat in which the density of resources may have been low, fishers appeared to compensate by selecting, at smaller scales, areas of higher-quality habitat. Because fishers select resources across several spatial scales, knowledge of which habitat requirements can be fulfilled at each scale allows for more effective and flexible management of fisher habitats.