If someone isn’t sure as to what a pine marten is (I wasn’t either before the seminar), then here are two links to videos on the BBC website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_Pine_Marten#p00851gg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_Pine_Marten#p0085stm
Figure Head Species
In the news there are a lot of focus of ‘figure head‘ or high profile animals’ (for example giant pandas and tigers) that are fighting to survive in their wild habitats around the world.
Native Species and Pine Martens
The United Kingdom has many species which are critically endangered. Yet there is little conservation promotion for these species, compared to the ‘high profile animals’ . Pine martens (Martes martes) are a native species to the UK. However populations are decreasing, due to persecution, misconceptions, coming into contact with humans and habitat destruction. In the past pine martens were widespread, but now are rare and localized.
The Plan for the Pine Martens
The Vincent Wildlife Trust are attempting to reinforce pine martens to certain areas of Wales. Pine martens are the first reinforced carnivore in the UK. The trust has been carrying out a survey to establish the current population of pine martens in Wales. This is through non-invasive monitoring: hair tubes, scat samples and camera traps. Through these sampling methods the trust is able to see the presence of the martens and through DNA analysis find out where the pine martens have come from. There are three types of pine martens: Scottish, English and Welsh and Irish. Scat samples are no longer used, due to a 60% error rate.
Raising Awareness of the Funny Alien
The Vincent Wildlife trust with the cooperation with the Co-Op are working together on a conservation project, called ‘people and pine martens in Wales’. The aim of the project is to raise awareness of the pine marten and ensure that proposed habitats are suitable. All of this work is to ensure pine martens are able to thrive and survive in Wales, when reinforced in 2015.
The Benefits of Pine Marten Neighbours
Pine martens have conservation and financial benefits. Pine martens prey on grey squirrels, an invasive species, which are responsible for the decline of the native red squirrels and thousands of pounds worth of tree damage. The conservation project has the approval and encouragement of the forestry commission. In Scotland pine marten tourism is very high and provides a large income.
Why is Reinforcing the Pine Marten Important?
Reintroducing or reinforcing native species in to the UK is important, to ensure that biodiversity continues. This should be done only if there is appropriate habitat available. More emphasis and publicity for education should be published, so that the public are aware of the species around their homes and why these animals are important.
Previous Studies
A study investigated proposed areas in England for reintroduction of pine martens (Bright, et al., 2003). The study showed that the release sites had a high risk of mortality. The study suggests that northern England is not suitable for pine marten reintroduction (Bright, et al., 2003).
The talk was really interesting and inspiring. It was my first seminar, which talked about a native species of the UK.
References
Bright, P., Smithson, T. (2003) Biological invasions provide a framework for reintroduction: selecting areas in England for pine marten releases. Biodiversity and Conservation, 10, 1247-1265
Bio Enterprise and Employability 
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A clear explanation of the aims of the Vincent Wildlife Trust. The Post gives the reader the needed background information on the Pine Martens as a native species and their misconceptions. The Post also goes into detail about the plan for Pine Martens and how they are monitored using DNA sampling from scat samples. It also gives reference to the date when they hope to reintroduce Pine Martens, in 2015. The potential benefits of the Pine marten are also explained along with why it is important to conserve them. The paper referenced at the end is also an interesting read.
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This post was a very interesting read and gives the reader opportunity to further explore the subject as they wish. An interesting point in this post was the discussion of the use of scat surveys as a method of population analysis. As new technologies and scientific techniques arise, it is important to weigh their advantages and disadvantages against more traditional methods.
Birks (2005) notes that scat samples often rely on ambiguous assumptions which lead to conflicting views regarding the management and conservation of marten populations. It is generally agreed that assumptions hold little merit in scientific study and alternative methods should be sought to eliminate such uncertainty.
It is also found that scat surveys are particularly unreliable when measuring populations which are experiencing low population numbers and uneven distribution (Birks, 2005). Indeed in this post the author stresses that this is the case for the vulnerable pine marten. Therefore it is agreeable that the author states that scat samples should be no longer used in the context of pine marten conservation.
Citations
Birks, J. et al (2005) Are Scat Surveys a Reliable Method for Assessing Distribution and Population Status of Pine Martens? Martens and Fishers (Martes) in Human-Altered Environments, Springer US.
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This blog post was enjoyable and informative to read. You give a good amount of information without bombarding the reader. I liked the background you gave to the Pine Marten and the plans of the Vincent wildlife trust and that is has been approved by the forestry commission. It was good to see you looked in to a study on the subject to increase your understanding.
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