Population Organizational Systems and Regulatory Mechanisms of a Forest Carnivore (Pine Martens) in Grand Teton National Park

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1 University of Wyoming National Park Service Research Center Annual Report Volume 2 2nd Annual Report, 1978 Article Population Organizational Systems and Regulatory Mechanisms of a Forest Carnivore (Pine Martens) in Grand Teton National Park Tim W. Clark Idaho State University Follow this and additional works at: Recommended Citation Clark, Tim W. (1978) "Population Organizational Systems and Regulatory Mechanisms of a Forest Carnivore (Pine Martens) in Grand Teton National Park," University of Wyoming National Park Service Research Center Annual Report: Vol. 2, Article 5. Available at: This Grand Teton National Park Report is brought to you for free and open access by Wyoming Scholars Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Wyoming National Park Service Research Center Annual Report by an authorized editor of Wyoming Scholars Repository. For more information, please contact scholcom@uwyo.edu.

2 Clark: Population Organizational Systems and Regulatory Mechanisms of a -19- POPULATION ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS AND REGULATORY MECHANISMS OF A FOREST CARNIVORE (PINE MARTENS) IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK Tim W. Clark Department of Biology Idaho State University This report partially summarizes ongoing research between 1 November 1977 and 31 October 1978 that was funded by the University of Wyoming National Park Service Research Center and Grand Teton Natural History Association. The assistance and cooperation of several people is greatly appreciated: T. Hauptman, J. Weaver, T. Campbell, J. Hoak, P. Rathbun, W. Barnore, and D. Casey. Study Objectives The research is aimed at determining the role of animal behavior and environmental factors in regulating marten populations and social organization. The technique of systems analysis allows a model of the marten behavioral-ecological system (Fig. 1) to be subdivided into individual components that can be examined in detail and later combined into a whole-system model. Specific hypotheses this model generated and methods of evaluation were presented by Clark (1977). At the least, this approach helps identify important elements of the system and factors requiring further research (Stromberg and Clark 1977). fc()logical SU8SYS'T'"M Figure 1. A schematic model of the pine marten behavioral-ecological system. Published by Wyoming Scholars Repository,

3 University of Wyoming National Park Service Research Center Annual Report, Vol. 2 [1978], Art Methods Marten home range, movements, activity patterns and population compos i t ion are being determined by intensive 1 ive-trapping supplemented by radio telemetry. Forested areas were classified into habitat types (Daubenmire and Dau benmire 1968) according to Steel (1977). Study Area The 9.6 km 2 study area is in Grand Teton National Park on a large for es ted bench at the base of the east slope of the Teton Range between the Wh i t e Grass Ranch and Beaver Creek, Elevation is about 2200 m. Annual temperatures average 2.4 C (monthly range from -9.9 C to 15.7 C), with snow accounting for 70% of the annual precipitation of 61.5 em ( data). Results and Discussion Eight male and 6 female marten were captured. One 1 itter of two males was raised on the study area. Home range of an adult male and ad ul t fele are given in Figures 2 and 3. The area is largely a Abla/Cage Habitat Type, Vaccinium scoparium Phase that is complexly mixed with smaller areas of Abla/Vagl and Abla/Caru Habitat Types. Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpar-fs the climax trbut seral lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) dominates the overstory. Under story dominants are grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium), tall huckleberry (V. membranaceum), common snowberry (s mphoricarpos albus), pi ne grass (Calamagrostis rubescens) and elk sedge Carex geyeri). The marten population has fluctuated monthly and annually between 1975 and 1978 (Figs. 4 and 5). Mean annual population size between 1975 and 1978 was 5.3 animals or 1 marten/293 ha (733 ac). Causes for the fluc t uation have not been determined. The lower marten population on the study area in 1978 than earlier years (Fig. 4) also characterized maren populations throughout Teton County and on both sides of the Teton Range based on fur trapping records. The most likely factor that could influence marten over such a large area is weather. Factors such as moisture during preceeding summers and snow depth, duration and conditions may be import ant and are being investigated. 2

4 I N Clark: Population Organizational Systems and Regulatory Mechanisms of a Published by Wyoming Scholars Repository, '. /.,:.. I.1 ;. t :.. "\ -...J. '.l.., ;'!]' Figure 2. Location of adult male #100 from 1 Nov Oct Livetrap sites (open circles connected by solid 1 ine) and Telemetry (solid circles and dash 1 ine). Small circles are trap sites. :a Figure 3. Location of adult female #33 from 16 Apr.-4 Oct Livetrap sites (open circles connected by solid line) and Telemetry (solid circles and dahs line). Small circles are trap sites. 3

5 University of Wyoming National Park Service Research Center Annual Report, Vol. 2 [1978], Art s It),... cs IO ----,,,, - -- f't s. a... '. 5 ' ' '... ;'----. " tl + -..A--.:.,.-:e-...,: , '- I 'J F M A M '3" A N D MONTI15 Figure 4. Monthly minimum marten population on the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming study area. IO s q tl c 7 " 5 t. " t 3 $ 2 z I ll 1 {!--"" n :r F M A M 'J' J A s 0 N D MONTHS Figure 5. Mean monthly m1n1mum marten population on the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming study area,

6 Clark: Population Organizational Systems and Regulatory Mechanisms of a -23- Literature Cited Clark, T. W Population organizational systems and regulatory mechanisms of a forest carnivore (pine martens) in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Research Proposal, unpubl. 26pp. Oaubenmire, R. F. and J. B. Oaubenmire eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Tech. Bu 1 l. 60: l Forest vegetation of Wash. Agric. Exp. Sta. S tee l e, R., 0. 0 n do v, S. V. Cooper and R. 0. P f i s t e r P r e 1 i m i nary forest habitat types of eastern Idaho and western Wyoming. USOA-FS I ntermt. For. and Rg. Exp. Reg. 145pp. Stromberg, M. R. and T. W. Clark Black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs: simulation models in rare and endangered species management. In Clark, T. W Black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs Tn Wyoming: 5 yr ( ) summary of research. Xerox 98pp. Published by Wyoming Scholars Repository,