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ABSTRACT Wind power development is regarded as a clean energy source. Efforts to mitigate climate change, however, may degrade habitat and compromise wildlife. During winter 2011-2012, we examined the potential influence of a wind farm on a community of carnivores in the New England-Acadian Forest, northern New Hampshire, United States, with a focus on American martens ( Martes americana), a mid- to late-successional forest species adapted for snow. We counted marten, red fox ( Vulpes fulva), and coyote ( Canis latrans) tracks and measured snowpack along roads, and snowmobile and hiking trails to determine the relative influence of wind farms on space use for each species. We observed all species at high-elevations (>823 m), although use frequency varied by road or trail type. As expected, we detected martens most often at high elevations along hiking trails and least often along wind farm roads. We observed the opposite pattern for red foxes and coyotes. Additionally, there was a higher probability of observing canids when snow depth increased and a lower probability when penetrability increased. Although our results indicate spatial partitioning, the edge habitat and compacted snow created by wind farm roads increased access for canids to high-elevation forest. In addition to habitat loss and fragmentation, these conditions may increase competition for martens and lower population viability. Future wind development should minimize disturbance of rare habitats, especially those considered climate refugia. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundance estimates for black bears (Ursus americanus) are important for effective management. Recently, DNA technology has resulted in widespread use of noninvasive, genetic capture–mark– recapture (CMR) approaches to estimate populations. Few studies have compared the geneticCMRmethods to other estimation methods. We used genetic CMR to estimate the bear population at 2 study sites in northern New Hampshire (Pittsburg and Milan) in 2 consecutive years. We compared these estimates to those derived from traditional methods used by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) using hunter harvest and mortality data. Density estimates produced with genetic CMR methods were similar both yearsand were comparable to those derived from traditional methods. In 2006, the estimated number of bears in Pittsburg was 79 (95% CI ¼ 60–98) corresponding to a density of 15–24 (95% CI) bears/ 100 km2; the 2007 estimate was 83 (95% CI ¼ 67–99; density ¼ 16–24 bears/100 km2). In 2006, the estimated number of bears in Milan was 95 (95% CI ¼ 74–117; density ¼ 16–25 bears/100 km2); the 2007 estimate was 96 (95% CI ¼ 77–114; density ¼ 17–25 bears/100 km2). We found that genetic CMR methods were able to identify demographic variation at a local scale, including a strongly skewed sex ratio (2 M:1 F) in the Milan population. Genetic CMR is a useful tool for wildlife managers to monitor populations of local concern, where abundance or demographic characteristics may deviate from regional estimates. Future monitoring of the Milan population with genetic CMR is recommended to determine if the sex ratio bias continues, possibly warranting a change in local harvest regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures standard metabolic rate (SMR) and the effects of temperature on metabolism of adult eastern wild turkeys during each season of the year. Minimal thermoregulatory costs for turkeys at normal winter temperatures in south central New Hampshire; Further data analysis.