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
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.
Recommended Citation
Krohner, Jessica M., "FINDING FISHERS: DETERMINING THE DISTRIBUTION OF A RARE FOREST MESOCARNIVORE IN THE NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAINS" (2020). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11589.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11589
Included in
© Copyright 2020 Jessica M. Krohner