Monitoring and understanding mammal assemblages: Experiences from Bending Lake, Fallingsnow, and Tom Hill

Abstract

We monitored mammal assemblages in treatment areas in three studies, two involving competition control (with live capture) in Ontario and one involving commercial thinning (with snow tracking) in Alberta. Abundant and opportunistic species were relatively unaffected by treatments, while species preferring open habitats or a dense shrub layer thrived in herbicide-treated and thinned areas, respectively. A few populations declined, but returned to levels in reference areas within two years of treatment. Most populations fluctuated both seasonally and annually, making other trends difficult to detect. We discuss several issues related to using a broadcast approach to mammal monitoring, including design improvements, with a view towards better future decisions in an adaptive management framework.