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Pine marten (Martes martes) abundance in an insular mountainous region using non-invasive techniques

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Abstract

Despite their often high conservation status and international obligations to undertake regular population surveillance, the status of pine marten (Martes martes) in many countries remains poorly understood. We conducted a non-invasive survey to determine the abundance of pine marten in forested habitat located within a 360 km2 mountainous region of Northern Ireland. We deployed 126 hair tubes between June and November during which 4 sampling sessions occurred, each lasting approximately 10 days. Hair samples were collected and analysed using genetic techniques to confirm species identity, sex and provide individual identity profiles. Genotyping success rates increased with the number of hairs in a sample and were significantly greater with sample sizes of ≥10 hairs (χ 2 = 15.1, df 1, P < 0.005). Abundance estimates for the adult breeding population were 23 individuals (95 % CI 15–31). Sex ratio data were 61 % male and 39 % female, suggesting that 14 males and 9 females were present in the breeding population. The total population abundance of pine marten, including breeding adults and annual juvenile recruitment, was estimated at 32 (95 % CI 31–35). Mean pine marten density was 0.53 per km2 of forest habitat and was within the range of densities found for the species in Europe. A breeding population in the low 20’s was considered small, and further research is needed on factors that may impact on the population including habitat management, connectivity and mortality. Non-invasive surveys provided conservation relevant data within a relatively short temporal period.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant from the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The Forest Service of Northern Ireland provided considerable logistical support to the project including a permit to work in their forests. Graham Cherry (AFBI) undertook substantial field work for the project and his contribution is gratefully acknowledged. Two anonymous referees improved the manuscript and their contribution is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18A Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

    Declan T. O’Mahony

  2. Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Republic of Ireland

    Peter Turner & Catherine O’Reilly

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  1. Declan T. O’Mahony
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  2. Peter Turner
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  3. Catherine O’Reilly
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Correspondence to Declan T. O’Mahony.

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Communicated by C. Gortázar

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O’Mahony, D.T., Turner, P. & O’Reilly, C. Pine marten (Martes martes) abundance in an insular mountainous region using non-invasive techniques. Eur J Wildl Res 61, 103–110 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-014-0878-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-014-0878-0

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