Distribution and Abundance of Hoary Marmots in North Cascades National Park Complex, Washington, 2007-2008

A two-year systematic baseline survey of hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) distribution and abundance was conducted in North Cascades National Park Complex (NOCA) from late June to early September 2007 and 2008. Surveys sites were located in meadow habitat above 1,219 m (4,000 ft) and were accessible by trail. Thirty-one sites were randomly selected from the sampling universe and surveyed using a point count sampling system spaced every 400 m along trail transects. The number of point count stations ranged from 2 to 9 (mean = 4) points per survey site. Surveyors detected 242 marmots at 19 of 31 (61%) sites with abundance ranging from 0 to 25 individuals per site (mean = 7.8; standard error [SE] = 1.5). Marmots occupied areas ranging in elevation from 1,158–2,115 m (mean = 1,789 m; SE = 28.7) largely on southfacing slopes (54.5%).