Winter Habitat Ecology of Sables (Martes Zibellina) in Relation to Forest Management in China

Abstract

The sabie (Martes zibellina), a little-known forest carnivore of the Asian taiga, has undergone reductions in distribution and abundance that have been attributed, in part, to habitat changes resulting from forest management. Like its circumboreal sibling species, the "boreal forest martens" (M. martes, M. melampus, and M. americana), the sabie has been hypothesized to select for forest attributes associated with late successional stages, and to respond negatively to reductions in the amount of physical structure near the ground, especially the loss of large tree boles. The sabie now is endangered in China. To investigate how forestry practices in northern China, which emphasize extensive selective cutting of large-diameter larch (Larix gmelini), affect behavioral preferences of sables, and to test for hypothesized ecologica! similarities among the boreal forest martens, we studied habitat selection by sables in the Daxinganling Mountains, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China, for three winters. We sampled topographic and vegetative features of three study sites by systematically located plots. We studied sabie selection of habitats while traveling by following sabie trails in snow, and while resting by locating sables with telemetry. Sables selected for (preferred) sites with dense tree canopy, mixed tree species dominants, and high densities and diameters of larch tree boles. Sables were more selective of habitat for resting than for traveling, like other martens (M. americana). Sables were indifferent to attributes of hardwood trees (Betula sp.) in their habitat, but preferred mixed tree species stands to single species stands. The sabie responds negatively to the absence of tree canopy, of large live trees, and of coarse woody debris, and resembles other boreal forest martens in its habitat associations. The sabie may be a useful model for examining the responses of vertebrates to forestry practices in boreal east Asia. Conserving late successional stands of conifer forest appears crucial to the persistence of the sabie in China.

Moose Alces alces habitat use at multiple temporal scales in a human‐altered landscape

“…Sable are small sized forest carnivores selecting sites with a dense tree canopy, mixed dominant tree species, and high densities and diameters of larch tree boles (Buskirk et al 1996). Certainly, sparse shrub could not provide enough cover in winter, whereas areas near coniferous patch edge usually were characterized with more tree species and densities, which well met the requirements of the survival of sable.…”

Molecular evolution and adaptation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in the subgenus Martes

“…In addition, we suggest that the radical changes at these cytochrome b residues in true martens may be the result of molecular adaptation to environmental conditions that are associated with species distribution. For example, M. zibellina populates mainly the northern forest, and it extends southward to 42° in the mountainous areas of eastern Asia (Buskirk et al, 1996). This species requires a stronger ability to adjust its body temperature in winter than more southerndistributed marten species, such as M. flavigula.…”

Ecological Flexibility of the Top Predator in an Island Ecosystem — The Iriomote Cat Changes Feeding Patterns in Relation to Prey Availability

“…The distribution of breeding sites affects the habitat use of breeding females [42][43][44][45]. The breeding habitat use of Iberian lynxes Lynx pardinus is more strongly influenced by distribution of natal hollow trees than by prey availability and breeding females use old growth forests during breeding season [45].…”