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Socio-spatial ecology of pine marten (Martes martes) in conifer forests, Ireland

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Abstract

Understanding the social organisation and spacing patterns of wildlife populations is an important aspect of conservation management and applied science. The present study investigated the spatial ecology of pine marten (Martes martes) inhabiting conifer forests in Ireland, the largest habitat resource available for the species. It represented the first study of pine marten spacing patterns in Irish conifer forests. Pine marten (n = 7; five males and two females) were live-trapped and radio-tracked for between 4 and 10 months from March 2008 to March 2009. Mean annual home-range estimates (95 % fixed kernel) for males (150.7 ha) were generally larger than those of females (90.2 ha). There was considerable inter-seasonal overlap in home ranges (approx 85 %) with less inter-sexual (12.0 %) or intra-sexual (11.8 %) overlap, although the sample size of individuals for comparison was small. Pine marten home ranges were stable from season to season. Core ranges varied in size from 10.6 to 104.1 ha, and as a mean percentage of home-range area were 22.9 and 42.5 % for males and females, respectively. In terms of forest management, potential under occupancy of available space by pine marten and vulnerability of very small core ranges to clear felling practices needs further research to determine any impacts on individuals and populations.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ireland under the National Development Plan 2007–2013 and the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species, UK. Access to the forest and related datasets was provided by Coillte Teoranta Ltd, and I would like to thank both regional and headquarter staff for assisting with the project. The licencing section and local branch of the National Parks and Wildlife Service provided licences to allow trapping of pine marten to occur. The Conboy Veterinary practice provided assistance with the anaesthetisation of pine marten during the study. I would also like to thank two anonymous reviewers who made substantial improvements to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecological Management Group, Ormeau Business Park, Belfast, BT7 2JA, UK

    Declan T. O’Mahony

  2. Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK

    Declan T. O’Mahony

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  1. Declan T. O’Mahony
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Correspondence to Declan T. O’Mahony.

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Communicated by: Andrzej Zalewski

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O’Mahony, D.T. Socio-spatial ecology of pine marten (Martes martes) in conifer forests, Ireland. Acta Theriol 59, 251–256 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-013-0167-4

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