Marten Habitat Preferences in the Northern Sierra Nevada

Escalating harvest of remnant old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest has precipitated concern for marten (Martes amaericana) as an old-growth dependent species (Meslow et al. 1981). Although recent studies have increased our understanding of marten habitat requirements (Koehler adn Hornocker 1977, Soutiere 1979, Steventon and Major 1982), little in-depth research has been done in the Pacific states. Also, the influences of specific forest attributes on marten selection of resting and foraging sites have been insufficiently quantified. This study details marten selection of resting and foraging habitats in the northern Sierra Nevada.