American marten (Martes americana) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 2

COSEWIC Executive Summary

American marten
Martes americana atrata
Newfoundland population

Species information

The subspecies of American marten, Martes americana atrata, is native to the island of Newfoundland and the Labrador peninsula. The subspecies of American marten have not been reviewed vis-à-vis recent studies showing genetic uniqueness from mainland populations. The Newfoundland population of American marten is designatable on the basis of genetic and ecological distinctiveness.

Distribution

The historical range of American marten in Newfoundland is assumed to have been contiguous within forested areas. The range contracted in the 20thcentury and currently includes pockets of forested habitat in western Newfoundland (Little Grand Lake/Red Indian Lake and Main River) and on the east coast (Terra Nova area). Smaller populations occur in peripheral areas near St. Georges and Lobster House.

Habitat

Marten are typically associated with mature and overmature conifer and mixed-wood forests throughout their range in North America. However, a recent study suggests that marten inhabit a wider array of habitats, including mid-successional and young regenerating softwoods in addition to old growth forests, in Newfoundland. Mainland marten require dense overhead cover, coarse woody debris, low-hanging branches and shrub understory. These requirements are relaxed in Newfoundland where the landscape is highly fragmented. Of the total area occupied by marten, 10% is protected from forest harvesting, while 16% of critical habitat is protected. Critical habitat encompasses 51% of the area of occupancy.

Biology

The marten is an opportunistic feeder; however, the meadow vole is the most important food item throughout the year. The meadow vole is normally associated with open habitat, but occupies overmature or oldgrowth coniferous forests in Newfoundland. Snowshoe hares are important prey, especially in winter, and prefer early to mid-successional forests. The use of southern red-backed voles, first documented in 1999, is expected to increase as the voles expand their range.

Population sizes and trends

The Newfoundland marten’s range and population size has contracted throughout the 20th century, principally as a result of habitat change, overtrapping and accidental mortality. In 1985, there were an estimated 630 to 875 marten, based on live-trapping studies, distribution determined from a trapper questionnaire, and locations of sightings and accidental mortalities. In 1995, the estimate was less than 300 marten, based on known densities, habitat supply and known distribution. The current estimate, based on the 1990-2006 distribution, empirical densities from live-trapping studies, and habitat supply analysis is 438 to 852, including up to 25% juveniles. While the distribution has expanded since 1985, from 13,356 km² to 23,383km², the population appears to be stable. The population estimates are not derived from comparable methods.

Limiting factors and threats

The major limiting factors are accidental trapping and snaring and habitat loss due to forestry. Secondary factors are habitat loss due to fire and insect damage and the limited prey base. Accidental trapping and snaring is a major threat to marten recolonizing habitats outside protected areas.

Special significance of the population

The American marten is one of only 14 mammals native to Newfoundland. The genetic and ecological uniqueness of the population makes it a component of biodiversity in Canada.

Existing protection

The American marten population of Newfoundland is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act. The population was designated Endangered in May, 2000 and is listed on Schedule 1.

The provincial Endangered Species Act also lists the marten as endangered and has a series of general prohibitions similar to the federal legislation. Some habitat is protected in reserves and parks. Critical habitat has also been identified as part of the recovery planning process, and 16% is fully protected from wood harvesting, snaring and trapping. Commercial trapping has been illegal since 1934. The Newfoundland government created a Pine Marten Study Area in 1973, where all land trapping and snaring was forbidden. Marten are also protected in two National Parks and 3 reserves in the Little Grand Lake area. Modified snares are required in the Northwest Grand Lake, Red Indian Lake, Terra Nova and Charlottetown Enclave areas and the live-release of all accidentally captured marten is encouraged. A total of 57% of all marten critical habitat areas are protected against accidental mortality through closures to snaring and trapping, or modified snare requirements.

COSEWIC History

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list.  On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC Mandate

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC Membership

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species. 

Definitions

Wildlife Species
A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.

Extirpated (XT)
A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened (T)
A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern (SC)Footnotea
A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Not at Risk (NAR)Footnoteb/a>
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.

Data Deficient (DD)Footnotec
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

 

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Canadian Wildlife Service

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.

 

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