Upper Feather River Watershed

Pacific Fisher use of a managed forest landscape in Northern California.

Between 1990 and 1995, a study of habitat change and subsequent use by the Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti) in a Northern California managed forest environment was conducted. By interpreting aerial photos flown in 1944 and 1994, the study documented substantial changes in the availability of habitat conditions used by fishers within the study. We tested telemetry accuracy using two methodologies and found large differences by methodology. Telemetry data from three male fishers demonstrated selective habitat use by fishers, preference for lower elevation forest types, and seasonal and yearly variations in use patterns. Thirty-four fisher rest sites were described. The study area’s past history of use by fisher combined with the capture of adult males, adult females, and juveniles and the documentation of stable home ranges suggest that the area’s habitat capability is at least sufficient to allow reproduction by the local fisher population. We calculated a preference index from our data and found a significant positive correlation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisher Habitat Suitability Index (USFSW HSI) model. We did not find a significant correlation between our data and predictions by the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships system. We discuss changes to both the USFWS HSI model and the California WHR system to improve their performance. We recommend that use of the USFWS HSI model will provide reasonable predictions of the potential effects of habitat management activities on fisher habitat suitability in Northern California.

2001-04-06

Self, S. and S, Kerns. Wildlife research paper No. 6. Sierra Pacific Industries, Redding,, CA.

Global or not applicable

Dataset, Forest Management, Habitat, Wildfire

Complete

Document

Pax

Send a message the owner of this resource