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Abstract
Martens and fishers, as predators, perform important functions that help sustain the integrity of ecosystems. Both species occur primarily in mature forest environments that are characterized by dense canopy, large-diameter trees, a diverse understory community, and abundant standing and downed dead trees. Martens occur in the upper montane forests, where the threat of wildfire is less, and fishers predominately occur in the lower montane forests, where the threat of severe wildfire is much greater. Both species use habitat at multiple scales: the resting/denning site, the stand, the home range, and the landscape. Thus, management of habitat may benefit from considering these components when evaluating the effects of treatment activities. These species’ diets are relatively diverse and their prey occurs in a variety of habitats within their home ranges. It appears that the heterogeneous conditions that are predicted to occur with the restoration of fire as a disturbance process may yield habitat for martens, fishers, and their diverse sources of food.
Parent Publication
Keywords
ecological restoration,
socioecological systems,
ecosystem resilience,
forest planning,
fire management,
altered fire regimes,
wildfire,
climate change,
anthropogenic disturbance,
invasive species,
water resources,
species of conservation concern,
California
Citation
Zielinski, W.J. 2014. The forest carnivores: marten and fisher. In: Long, J.W.; Quinn-Davidson, L.; Skinner, C.N., eds. Science synthesis to support socioecological resilience in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-247. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 393-435. Chap. 7.1.
