American marten (Martes americana) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 3

Introduction

The American marten, Newfoundland population, was first assessed by COSEWIC as Not At Risk (formerly Not In Any Category, Skinner 1979). An updated status report (Snyder 1985) resulted in re-assessment of Threatened in 1986 based on the harvest rate of its limited forest habitat. Data deficiencies included information on local marten biology, ecology and responses to forest management practices.

A Newfoundland Marten Recovery Team was formed in 1990. The National Recovery Plan for the Newfoundland Marten was completed in 1995 (Forsey et al. 1995) and an updated status report prepared in 1996 (Lemon 1996). This resulted in re-assessment to Endangered based on population declines and continuing threats to habitat (essentially old growth conifer stands). Revised population and habitat loss estimates were based primarily on the National Recovery Plan (Forsey et al. 1995). The status was confirmed by COSEWIC in 2000 using new quantitative criteria applied to information in the existing 1996 status report (COSEWIC 2000).

This third updated status report, summarizes new information that has become available since 1996. It is not a complete review of all information on the American marten, Newfoundland population. The first update status report (Snyder 1985) and the Newfoundland Marten Recovery Plan (Forsey et al. 1995) provide additional information. An updated recovery strategy and action plan are in preparation (The Newfoundland Marten Recovery Team, in preparation, a and b).

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