Year of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Wildlife Biology

Department or School/College

Wildlife Biology Program

Committee Chair

Joshua J. Millspaugh

Committee Co-chair

Paul M. Lukacs

Commitee Members

Michael S. Mitchell, Joel D. Sauder, Robert Inman

Keywords

distribution, fisher, Idaho, Montana, occupancy, Pekania pennanti

Publisher

University of Montana

Subject Categories

Population Biology | Zoology

Abstract

The Northern Rocky Mountain fisher population (Pekania pennanti), is classified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need and is of special concern to state, federal, and tribal entities. In this thesis, we present methods to effectively survey fishers across the northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana, and provide estimates of fisher distribution at a population range-wide scale through occupancy analyses. We also assess factors that influence fisher occurrence through covariate analyses and identify core fisher habitat in the northern Rockies through spatial occupancy modeling. By sampling broadly across the landscape, we provide baseline distributional data for comparison against future monitoring efforts. Additionally, we use data from camera traps to evaluate previously unexplored patterns of co-occurrence between fishers and four sympatric larger predators found throughout the northern Rockies. We examine spatiotemporal associations through two-step multi-species occupancy analyses and daily activity pattern overlap. Effective monitoring allows us to better understand the current status of a population of concern, assess changes in population trends, and determine the factors that influence these trends.

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© Copyright 2020 Jessica M. Krohner