Estimation of habitat quality and summer population density for muskrats on a watershed basis

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Brooks, Robert P.; Dodge, Wendell E.

Source:

Journal of Wildlife Management, The Wildlife Society, Volume 50, Issue 2, p.269-273 (1986)

Call Number:

A86BRO01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/3801910

Keywords:

muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus

Abstract:

A model for assessing habitat quality for muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) was field tested in central Massachusetts during 1978–1979 and in north-central Pennsylvania during 1981–1982. The habitat model predicted favorable habitat and ranked watersheds with respect to potential muskrat abundance using topographic maps. Local population attributes must be combined with habitat analyses to obtain reliable quantitative estimates of muskrat numbers. Summer density estimates of 23 muskrats/km and 48 muskrats/km were obtained for an unglaciated and a glaciated river, respectively.