Effectiveness of carbon sooted aluminum track plates for detecting American marten.

Jake Ivan. M.S. Thesis, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, completed May 2000.

Recent research has led to the establishment of standardized protocols for detecting forest carnivores(fisher, marten, wolverine, and lynx). However, the effectiveness of these protocols for detecting a given species, as indicated by the probability of detection (POD), has not been estimated. Over the past two years, Jake has assessed the efficacy of covered trackplates for detecting American marten in the Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana. He radio collared and placed a unique brand on the toe pads of several marten in his study area then monitored their movements via telemetry. At the same time, he dispersed track plates throughout his study area as per the USFS protocol. The probability of detection was estimated as the ratio of survey units on which marten were detected to survey units where marten were known to exist (POD = 0.70, n = 10). Similarly, the probability of detecting a given individual was estimated as the ratio of branded animals detected to the total number of branded animals in the study area (PODind = 0.00, n = 15). It appears that track plates work acceptably well for detecting the presence of marten in areas where densities are relatively high. However, since the PODind is low, track plates may not work as reliably in areas where marten densities are lower. Additionally, he monitored marten activity near (within 5m) track plates using modified telemetry systems. Data from these systems indicated that several radio collared individuals were attracted to the vicinity of track plate stations but were not willing to enter the plate.

A complete description of his research can be found in his thesis in the Mansfield Library at The University of Montana.

Jake's research was funded through the U.S.D.A. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station, Missoula, Montana. A manuscript has been submitted. Jake is currently a Ph.D. student at Colorado State University.