Habitat Selection And Nesting Ecology Of Translocated Greater Sage Grouse

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Habitat Selection and Nesting Ecology of Translocated Greater Sage-grouse

Author : Kayla Lane Balderson
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (133 download)

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Book Synopsis Habitat Selection and Nesting Ecology of Translocated Greater Sage-grouse by : Kayla Lane Balderson

Download or read book Habitat Selection and Nesting Ecology of Translocated Greater Sage-grouse written by Kayla Lane Balderson and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sagebrush ecosystems are one of the most imperiled ecosystems in North America. The cumulative effects of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation of the sagebrush ecosystem threaten the persistence of the Greater Sage-grouse. Sage-grouse depend on healthy, intact areas of sagebrush habitat throughout the year. In Alberta, the sage-grouse population is estimated to be only 5% of what it was in 1968. During the spring of 2011 and 2012, 41 sage-grouse were fitted with GPS transmitters and translocated from stable populations in Montana to active lek sites in southeast Alberta. I conducted research to improve our understanding of translocation as a management tool, and how translocated sage-grouse are affected by anthropogenic features. I examined nesting ecology including the differences in post-release movements between nesting and non-nesting hens and the extent to which nest success is affected by anthropogenic features. I also identified habitat that translocated sage-grouse select in relation to anthropogenic and natural features. My research documented some of the largest post-release movement distances, rates and areas ever recorded for grouse after being translocated. Average weekly linear distance travelled was 56 km and average area traversed was 1944 km2. Non-nesting hens had significantly higher movement rates than nesting hens. Movement rates of nesting hens decreased during the nest initiation period, whereas movement rates of non-nesting hens did not decrease until 6 weeks later. Apparent annual hen survival ranged between 31-72% across the study period. Nest initiation (53%) and nest success (29%) were low compared to other sage-grouse populations across their range. Nest success decreased with increasing distance from trees, power lines and settlements, suggesting that translocated hens are naïve to the release area and do not recognize the risks that are typically associated with certain anthropogenic features. Translocated sage-grouse were more likely to be observed, with increasing distance from all of the anthropogenic features included in the movement models: as far as 3 km from trees and gas wells, 10 km from buildings and 15 km from settlements, at least 23 km from power lines and 2.5 km from roads. Interaction models suggest that sage-grouse are avoiding anthropogenic features because of the disturbance of the features themselves, and not because the features occur in poor sagebrush habitat. My results indicate that the effects of power lines, buildings, trees and oil wells (up to 5 km) on the occurrence of sage-grouse were largest, suggesting that these features should be prioritized for removal. However, it is likely that cumulative effects of some or all anthropogenic features cause sage-grouse to select habitat further away from these features. The predicted intensity map I generated could be used to help strategically guide habitat enhancement efforts in the study area. Habitat enhancements would best be focused in areas where predicted intensity was high and suitable habitat was present yet no sage-grouse were observed, with the goal of increasing the likelihood of sage-grouse use within those areas. Future assessments of proposed developments should consider the construction of all new anthropogenic features as a potential detriment to habitat quality.

The Ecology of Translocated Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah

Author : Rick Joseph Baxter
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 75 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (367 download)

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Book Synopsis The Ecology of Translocated Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah by : Rick Joseph Baxter

Download or read book The Ecology of Translocated Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah written by Rick Joseph Baxter and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 75 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Manuscript No. 2 Nesting habitat of resident greater sage-grouse in extant populations across the species range has been thoroughly described in the literature, yet very little is known about the use of nesting habitat by translocated sage-grouse. In order to better understand nesting habitat selection by translocated sage-grouse in a new environment, we trapped grouse during the spring on and near leks of source populations. We placed each female in a cardboard box and translocated them overnight to the Strawberry Valley. Each female was fitted with a radio-transmitter and released near the lek where males were actively strutting. We monitored grouse for nesting activity. We documented nesting attempts, nest success, clutch size and embryo viability. We recorded data on habitat variables associated with nest sites and paired-random sites. We used logistic regression and an a priori information theoretic approach for modeling nest versus paired-random sites and successful versus unsuccessful nest sites. Our data suggested that crown area of the nest shrub and percent grass cover were the two variables that discriminated between nest and paired-random sites. Females that nested successfully selected sites with more total shrub canopy cover, intermediate size shrub crown area, a normal distribution of aspects, and with steeper slopes than unsuccessful nests. Translocated females selected suitable nesting habitat after being moved from source populations with differing habitats.

Winter Habitat Selection and Nesting Ecology of Greater Sage Grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah

Author : Riley D. Peck
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 49 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (815 download)

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Book Synopsis Winter Habitat Selection and Nesting Ecology of Greater Sage Grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah by : Riley D. Peck

Download or read book Winter Habitat Selection and Nesting Ecology of Greater Sage Grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah written by Riley D. Peck and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 49 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examined winter habitat use and nesting ecology of greater sage grouse (Centrocerus urophasianus) in Strawberry Valley (SV), Utah located in the north-central part of the state. We monitored sage grouse with the aid of radio telemetry throughout the year, but specifically used information from the winter and nesting periods for this study. Our study provided evidence that sage grouse show fidelity to nesting areas in subsequent years regardless of nest success. We found only 57% of our nests located within the 3 km distance from an active lek typically used to delineate critical nesting habitat. We suggest a more conservative distance of 10 km for our study area. Whenever possible, we urge consideration of nest-area fidelity in conservation planning across the range of greater sage grouse. We also evaluated winter-habitat selection at multiple spatial scales. Sage grouse in our study area selected gradual slopes with high amounts of sagebrush exposed above the snow. We produced a map that identified suitable winter habitat for sage grouse in our study area. This map highlighted core areas that should be conserved and will provide a basis for management decisions affecting Strawberry Valley, Utah.

Seasonal Habitat Selection and Breeding Ecology of Greater-sage-grouse in Carbon County, Montana

Author : Erin Leslie Gelling
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 139 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (387 download)

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Book Synopsis Seasonal Habitat Selection and Breeding Ecology of Greater-sage-grouse in Carbon County, Montana by : Erin Leslie Gelling

Download or read book Seasonal Habitat Selection and Breeding Ecology of Greater-sage-grouse in Carbon County, Montana written by Erin Leslie Gelling and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter ‘sage-grouse’) are the focus of much research and conservation efforts owing to their obligate relationship with sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) and dramatic population declines over the last 50 years. Sage-grouse are a partially migratory species with three main seasonal habitats during breeding, summer, and winter. Anthropogenic disturbances can impact habitat and areas used by sage-grouse during all three seasons. Sage-grouse also exhibit low productivity that is limited, in part, by nest and chick survival. As uniparental incubators, nesting can be energetically costly for female sage-grouse because they have limited mobility when their precocial chicks are young. In addition, habitat characteristics have been shown to differ between brood-rearing female sage-grouse and broodless females (i.e., females without broods). Therefore, to sustain sage-grouse populations, focus should be on increasing vital rates for adult females, chicks, and nests—the life stages that most influence population growth. Research is thus critical to better understand the relationships between life stages of sage-grouse and their seasonal habitats, particularly during breeding and summer brood-rearing. The focus of my thesis was to assess the influence of natural and anthropogenic features on sage-grouse seasonal habitat selection, assess factors influencing sage-grouse nest survival and attentiveness, and assess habitat selection and behavior between brood-rearing and broodless female sage-grouse. By focusing on habitat selection across three seasons, during reproductive and non-reproductive states, and across second, third, and fourth-order habitat selection, wildlife managers will have better information to manage sage-grouse habitat to sustain or increase survival for adult females, broods, and nests. More specifically, this information will inform areas to prioritize management, restoration, and conservation to benefit sage-grouse populations and add to the body of knowledge of basic sage-grouse breeding ecology. In Chapter 1, I examined natural and anthropogenic landscape features that influence sage-grouse habitat selection during breeding, summer, and winter seasons. I used data from 85 GPS-tagged female sage-grouse in Carbon County, Montana and Park County, Wyoming spanning April 2018–April 2020. I found natural and anthropogenic features combined best explained sage-grouse habitat selection for all three seasons. Sage-grouse habitat selection differed between each season with sagebrush cover being important for breeding and agricultural fields being important in summer. In general, sage-grouse selected for sagebrush or shrub characteristics and lower slopes and avoided major roads, residential development, and oil and gas. However, anthropogenic disturbances were not always avoided and sometimes sage-grouse selected areas closer to these disturbances, such as agricultural fields during summer or roads during winter. I created predictive maps from resource selection function modeling to depict relative probability of use for each seasonal range to be used in wildlife management and conservation planning. In Chapter 2, I focused on nest survival and attentiveness. Nest success is an important part of the breeding process that has implications for population growth. I described sage-grouse incubation behavior, examined whether sage-grouse incubation behavior influenced nest survival, and evaluated factors that influenced sage-grouse incubation behavior. For this chapter, I used data collected from my study area in Carbon County, Montana and Park County, Wyoming and a separate study area in the Red Desert of Carbon and Sweetwater counties, Wyoming. I used 131 nests to describe sage-grouse incubation behavior and 118 nests to examine nest survival and average recess duration. I found nest survival was higher in Bridger compared to Red Desert. I found incubation constancy was higher and recesses shorter for adults compared to yearlings. I found nest survival was higher with increased minimum temperature and reduced with longer recesses. Recess duration was shorter with greater sagebrush cover within 30 m and recesses were longer with higher minimum temperature and day of incubation. Factors influencing nest survival and incubation patterns will be important for directing management to improve sage-grouse nest success and to clarify to researchers and managers our understanding of the basics of sage-grouse nesting biology. In Chapter 3, I focused on habitat selection, activity patterns, and ranges of both brood-rearing and broodless females during the breeding season. I examined behavior and reproductive state influence on microhabitat selection, daily and seasonal range sizes, and daily activity levels for brood-rearing and broodless females. I sampled microhabitat for 36 females, estimated ranges for 38 females, and measured activity for 43 females. I found females with broods 0–2 weeks selected microhabitat characteristics when night roosting and females with broods 3–5 weeks selected microhabitat characteristics when foraging and night roosting. However, broodless females showed no selection for microhabitat based on behavior. I also found differences in activity levels for both brood-rearing and broodless females throughout the day. Broods 0–2 weeks had the smallest ranges while broods 3–5 weeks and broodless females had larger daily and seasonal ranges. Differences in habitat selection, range size, and behavior warrants management to conserve areas used by both brood-rearing and broodless female sage-grouse in a population, whereas most past efforts focused primarily on habitat used by brood-rearing females. The Wildlife Society Bulletin has accepted this chapter for publication with Drs. Jeffrey Beck and Aaron Pratt as coauthors.

Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Grouse

Author : Brett K. Sandercock
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520270061
Total Pages : 376 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (22 download)

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Book Synopsis Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Grouse by : Brett K. Sandercock

Download or read book Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Grouse written by Brett K. Sandercock and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2011-09-04 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Summarizing current knowledge of grouse biology, this volume is organized in four sections--spatial ecology, habitat relationships, population biology, and conservation and management--and offers insights into spatial requirements, movements, and demography of grouse. Much of the research employs emerging tools in ecology that span biogeochemistry, molecular genetics, endocrinology, radio-telemetry, and remote sensing".--Adapted from publisher descrip tion on back cover

Greater Sage-Grouse

Author : Steve Knick
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520948688
Total Pages : 665 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (29 download)

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Book Synopsis Greater Sage-Grouse by : Steve Knick

Download or read book Greater Sage-Grouse written by Steve Knick and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2011-05-19 with total page 665 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Admired for its elaborate breeding displays and treasured as a game bird, the Greater Sage-Grouse is a charismatic symbol of the broad open spaces in western North America. Unfortunately these birds have declined across much of their range—which stretches across 11 western states and reaches into Canada—mostly due to loss of critical sagebrush habitat. Today the Greater Sage-Grouse is at the center of a complex conservation challenge. This multifaceted volume, an important foundation for developing conservation strategies and actions, provides a comprehensive synthesis of scientific information on the biology and ecology of the Greater Sage-Grouse. Bringing together the experience of thirty-eight researchers, it describes the bird’s population trends, its sagebrush habitat, and potential limitations to conservation, including the effects of rangeland fire, climate change, invasive plants, disease, and land uses such as energy development, grazing, and agriculture.

Reproductive Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah

Author : Jared Jeffrey Baxter
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 75 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (1 download)

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Book Synopsis Reproductive Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah by : Jared Jeffrey Baxter

Download or read book Reproductive Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse in Strawberry Valley, Utah written by Jared Jeffrey Baxter and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 75 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) are a species of conservation concern in the rangelands of western North America due to their dramatic decline over the last half century. Effective conservation and management of sensitive species requires an understanding of how species respond to management actions. We examined two aspects of the reproductive phases of sage-grouse: nest predation, and habitat selection by female sage- grouse with chicks. In Chapter 1, we developed resource selection functions to assess the influence of mechanical treatments of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata vaseyana) on habitat selection by greater sage-grouse with chicks. Post-treatment sage-grouse showed stronger selection for treatments and treatment edges than did pre-treatment sage-grouse. This altered pattern of selection by sage-grouse with broods suggests mechanical treatments may be a suitable way to increase use of mountain big sagebrush during the brooding period. In Chapter 2, we assessed the effect of habitat edges on nest predation of sage-grouse. The “edge effect” hypothesis states that habitat edges are associated with reduced nest success for birds. We tested the edge effect hypothesis using 155 nest locations from 114 sage-grouse. We derived edge metrics for 11 habitat cover types to determine which variables may have affected nest predation. We found support for the edge effect hypothesis in that nest predation increased with increasing edge density of paved roads. We provide evidence that the edge effect hypothesis may apply to greater sage-grouse and their habitats. Based on our results, we recommend minimizing disturbances that fragment critical nesting habitat of greater sage-grouse.

Habitat Selection by Sympatric, Translocated Greater Sage-grouse and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse in Eastern Washington

Author : Kourtney Faith Stonehouse
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (896 download)

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Book Synopsis Habitat Selection by Sympatric, Translocated Greater Sage-grouse and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse in Eastern Washington by : Kourtney Faith Stonehouse

Download or read book Habitat Selection by Sympatric, Translocated Greater Sage-grouse and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse in Eastern Washington written by Kourtney Faith Stonehouse and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

@Habitat Prioritization Across Large Landscapes, Multiple Seasons, and Novel Areas

Author : Bradley C. Fedy
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Book Synopsis @Habitat Prioritization Across Large Landscapes, Multiple Seasons, and Novel Areas by : Bradley C. Fedy

Download or read book @Habitat Prioritization Across Large Landscapes, Multiple Seasons, and Novel Areas written by Bradley C. Fedy and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Animal habitat selection is an important and expansive area of research in ecology. In particular, the study of habitat selection is critical in habitat prioritization efforts for species of conservation concern. Landscape planning for species is happening at ever-increasing extents because of the appreciation for the role of landscape-scale patterns in species persistence coupled to improved datasets for species and habitats, and the expanding and intensifying footprint of human land uses on the landscape. We present a large-scale collaborative effort to develop habitat selection models across large landscapes and multiple seasons for prioritizing habitat for a species of conservation concern. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus, hereafter sage-grouse) occur in western semi-arid landscapes in North America. Range-wide population declines of this species have been documented, and it is currently considered as "warranted but precluded" from listing under the United States Endangered Species Act. Wyoming is predicted to remain a stronghold for sage-grouse populations and contains approximately 37% of remaining birds. We compiled location data from 14 unique radiotelemetry studies (data collected 1994-2010) and habitat data from high-quality, biologically relevant, geographic information system (GIS) layers across Wyoming. We developed habitat selection models for greater sage-grouse across Wyoming for 3 distinct life stages: 1) nesting, 2) summer, and 3) winter. We developed patch and landscape models across 4 extents, producing statewide and regional (southwest, central, northeast) models for Wyoming. Habitat selection varied among regions and seasons, yet preferred habitat attributes generally matched the extensive literature on sage-grouse seasonal habitat requirements. Across seasons and regions, birds preferred areas with greater percentage sagebrush cover and avoided paved roads, agriculture, and forested areas. Birds consistently preferred areas with higher precipitation in the summer and avoided rugged terrain in the winter. Selection for sagebrush cover varied regionally with stronger selection in the Northeast region, likely because of limited availability, whereas avoidance of paved roads was fairly consistent across regions. We chose resource selection function (RSF) thresholds for each model set (seasonal x regional combination) that delineated important seasonal habitats for sage-grouse. Each model set showed good validation and discriminatory capabilities within study-site boundaries. We applied the nesting-season models to a novel area not included in model development. The percentage of independent nest locations that fell directly within identified important habitat was not overly impressive in the novel area (49%); however, including a 500-m buffer around important habitat captured 98% of independent nest locations within the novel area. We also used leks and associated peak male counts as a proxy for nesting habitat outside of the study sites used to develop the models. A 1.5-km buffer around the important nesting habitat boundaries included 77% of males counted at leks in Wyoming outside of the study sites. Data were not available to quantitatively test the performance of the summer and winter models outside our study sites. The collection of models presented here represents large-scale resource-management planning tools that are a significant advancement to previous tools in terms of spatial and temporal resolution.

Nesting and Brood-rearing Habitat Selection of Greater Sage-grouse and Associated Survival of Hens and Broods at the Edge of Their Historic Distribution

Download Nesting and Brood-rearing Habitat Selection of Greater Sage-grouse and Associated Survival of Hens and Broods at the Edge of Their Historic Distribution PDF Online Free

Author : Katie M. Herman-Brunson
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 200 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (156 download)

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Book Synopsis Nesting and Brood-rearing Habitat Selection of Greater Sage-grouse and Associated Survival of Hens and Broods at the Edge of Their Historic Distribution by : Katie M. Herman-Brunson

Download or read book Nesting and Brood-rearing Habitat Selection of Greater Sage-grouse and Associated Survival of Hens and Broods at the Edge of Their Historic Distribution written by Katie M. Herman-Brunson and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Greater Sage-Grouse Vital Rate and Habitat Use Response to Landscape Scale Habitat Manipulations and Vegetation Micro-Sites in Northwestern Utah

Download Greater Sage-Grouse Vital Rate and Habitat Use Response to Landscape Scale Habitat Manipulations and Vegetation Micro-Sites in Northwestern Utah PDF Online Free

Author : Charles P. Sandford
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (97 download)

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Book Synopsis Greater Sage-Grouse Vital Rate and Habitat Use Response to Landscape Scale Habitat Manipulations and Vegetation Micro-Sites in Northwestern Utah by : Charles P. Sandford

Download or read book Greater Sage-Grouse Vital Rate and Habitat Use Response to Landscape Scale Habitat Manipulations and Vegetation Micro-Sites in Northwestern Utah written by Charles P. Sandford and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) has been a species of conservation concern since the early 20th century due to range-wide population declines. To contribute to knowledge of the ecology of sage-grouse populations that inhabit the Box Elder Sage Grouse Management Area (SGMA) in northwestern Utah and quantify their responses to landscape scale habitat manipulations, I monitored vital rates and habitat selection of 45 female sage-grouse from 2014 to 2015. Using telemetry locations of female sage-grouse with known nest and brood fates, I created Generalized Linear Mixed Models to estimate the influence of proximity to pinyon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.; conifer) encroachment, and removal projects may have on sagegrouse reproductive fitness in the Box Elder SGMA. The best fit model suggested that for every 1 km a nest was located away from a conifer removal area, probability of nest success was reduced by 9.1% (Îø = -0.096, P

Ecology of Isolated Greater Sage-grouse Populations Inhabiting the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain, South Central Utah

Author : Christopher James Perkins
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 123 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (654 download)

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Book Synopsis Ecology of Isolated Greater Sage-grouse Populations Inhabiting the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain, South Central Utah by : Christopher James Perkins

Download or read book Ecology of Isolated Greater Sage-grouse Populations Inhabiting the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain, South Central Utah written by Christopher James Perkins and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 123 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) currently inhabit about 56% of pre-settlement distribution of potential habitat. In 2005, the Castle Country Adaptive Resources Management Local Working Group (CaCoARM) was formed to address concerns regarding local sage-grouse populations in Carbon and Emery counties. In 2006-2007, CaCoARM identified the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain as areas of special concern for greater sage-grouse conservation. Both sites selected by the group were inhabited by what appeared to be small isolated sage-grouse populations. Factors limiting small isolated greater sage-grouse populations throughout its range are diverse and largely site-specific. During 2008-2009, I captured, radio-collared, and monitored 43 sage-grouse between the two populations to document their ecology and seasonal habitat use patterns. The sites are only 24 km apart, but the populations appear to be isolated from each other. Sage-grouse on Horn Mountain and Wildcat Knolls are one-stage migratory and non-migratory, respectively. Although nesting and brooding success varied between sites, my results were comparable to those published in studies throughout the species' range. Overall male survival was lower on the Wildcat Knolls than Horn Mountain (P = 0.003). Hens that selected brood sites exhibiting increased shrub cover and grass height were more successful than hens that selected sites with lower shrub cover and lower grass height. Potential nesting habitat on the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain were estimated at 2,329 and 5,493 ha, respectively. Hens that selected nest sites farther from non-habitat edge were more successful than hens that selected nest sites that were closer to non-habitat edge on the Wildcat Knolls. Higher nest success observed on the Wildcat Knolls was attributed to less habitat fragmentation. Isolated populations of greater sage-grouse are more susceptible to lower amounts of genetic diversity that may lead to inbreeding depression and increased rates of disease and parasites. I collected mitochondrial DNA samples from both the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain populations. Although the haplotype frequencies recorded in the Wildcat Knolls and Horn Mountain populations were low, one was shared with several Utah populations. The documented low genetic diversity (especially on Horn Mountain) confirmed the isolation suspected by the local working group. Microsatellite tests may provide insights to enhance understanding of genetic differences among sites, and assist managers in determining whether or not translocations are necessary to maintain population genetic diversity. Biologists should not only continue to take samples for genetic comparison, but also record morphometric and behavior data.

Effect of Predator Removal on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Ecology in the Bighorn Basin Conservation Area of Wyoming

Download Effect of Predator Removal on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Ecology in the Bighorn Basin Conservation Area of Wyoming PDF Online Free

Author : Elizabeth Kari Orning
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Effect of Predator Removal on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Ecology in the Bighorn Basin Conservation Area of Wyoming by : Elizabeth Kari Orning

Download or read book Effect of Predator Removal on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Ecology in the Bighorn Basin Conservation Area of Wyoming written by Elizabeth Kari Orning and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The decline of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations across western North America has intensified conservation, research, and management efforts. Predator-prey interactions have been the focus of widespread scientific study, but little research has been conducted on the effects of predation and predator removal on sage-grouse ecology. This study had three main objectives: 1) identify the types of predators impacting hen survival and nest success, 2) compare the effect of predator removal on vital rates, and 3) evaluate habitat selection and movement. Over two years (2011-2012), an observational study and field experiment were used to test the effects of predation and predator removal on sage-grouse survival, nest success, and spatial ecology in Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. In year one, I quantified the impacts of predators on sage-grouse demographics and developed a basis for monitoring sage-grouse and predator populations. In year two, predator removal was modified to remove the primary nest and hen predator in this system: coyote (Canis latrans). I evaluated the impact of anthropogenic features and management on sage-grouse home range size, seasonal movement, and habitat selection for potential behavioral responses. Resource selection functions (RSFs) were used to determine habitat selection and identify differences at multiple spatial extents (seasonal and annual scales). Hen survival was improved in sites treated with coyote removal over the nesting period (P = 0.05) but no improvement was seen in annual hen survival (P = 0.19). Observed nest success was higher at the site without coyote removal (P

Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Author : Lance B. McNew
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 303134037X
Total Pages : 1017 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (313 download)

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Book Synopsis Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation by : Lance B. McNew

Download or read book Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation written by Lance B. McNew and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2023-09-01 with total page 1017 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book reviews the importance of ecological functioning within rangelands considering the complex inter-relationships of production agriculture, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat. More than half of all lands worldwide, and up to 70% of the western USA, are classified as rangelands—uncultivated lands that often support grazing by domestic livestock. The rangelands of North America provide a vast array of goods and services, including significant economic benefit to local communities, while providing critical habitat for hundreds of species of fish and wildlife. This book provides compendium of recent data and synthesis from more than 100 experts in wildlife and rangeland ecology in Western North America. It provides a current and in-depth synthesis of knowledge related to wildlife ecology in rangeland ecosystems, and the tools used to manage them, to serve current and future wildlife biologists and rangeland managers in the working landscapes of the West. The book also identifies information gaps and serves as a jumping-off point for future research of wildlife in rangeland ecosystems. While the content focuses on wildlife ecology and management in rangelands of Western North America, the material has important implications for rangeland ecosystems worldwide.

Factors Influencing the Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse Inhabiting the Bear Lake Plateau and Valley, Idaho and Utah

Author : Casey J. Cardinal
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (945 download)

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Book Synopsis Factors Influencing the Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse Inhabiting the Bear Lake Plateau and Valley, Idaho and Utah by : Casey J. Cardinal

Download or read book Factors Influencing the Ecology of Greater Sage-grouse Inhabiting the Bear Lake Plateau and Valley, Idaho and Utah written by Casey J. Cardinal and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) are a sagebrush obligate species and as such an indicator of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitat quality and quantity. Sage-grouse populations have declined across western North America. This decline has been attributed to habitat loss and degradation of the sagebrush ecosystem. To determine factors that may cause localized declines in sage-grouse populations, managers may need site-specific information on the ecology and habitat use patterns of meta-populations. This information is currently lacking for sage-grouse populations that inhabit the Bear Lake Plateau and Valley (BLPV), encompassing parts of Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. I captured, radio-marked and monitored 153 sage-grouse in the BLPV from 20100́32012 to assess nest success, brood survival, mortality factors, and habitat use. Reproductive success was lower than range-wide averages, with especially low success in 2011. Nesting and brood rearing both showed higher success rates in 2012. Survival was very similar to estimates found elsewhere. Females had higher survival rates than males, and yearlings had higher survival probability than adults. Sage-grouse mortality was highest in summer and spring, and lowest in fall. Individual sage-grouse completed large scale movements, often using habitats in Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. Important factors in sage-grouse habitat selection included distance to major road, distance to habitat edge, distance to vertical structure (i.e., communication towers, wind turbines, and transmission lines), and vegetation cover types. Sage-grouse tended to avoid major road and vertical structures (i.e., communication towers, wind turbines, and transmission lines). They also selected habitat further away from habitat edge. Vegetation types preferred by sage-grouse included shrubland habitats, wet meadows, and grassland. MaxEnt models did not place highest importance on sagebrush habitats, which are critical for sage-grouse presence. This could have occurred because the vegetation layers used in the model did not assess habitat quality. Models produced using the ten landscape variables and BLPV sage-grouse locations ranked good to excellent fits. State-defined habitat covered a larger extent than MaxEnt predicted habitat. MaxEnt predicted habitat areas may be used to further refine state identified core areas to assist in prioritization of conservation efforts to protect the BLPV sage-grouse population.

Wildlife Habitats in Managed Rangelands-- the Great Basin of Southeastern Oregon

Author : Mayo W. Call
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 36 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (319 download)

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Book Synopsis Wildlife Habitats in Managed Rangelands-- the Great Basin of Southeastern Oregon by : Mayo W. Call

Download or read book Wildlife Habitats in Managed Rangelands-- the Great Basin of Southeastern Oregon written by Mayo W. Call and published by . This book was released on 1985 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

A Large-scale Multi-seasonal Habitat Prioritization and an Analysis of Structural Connectivity for the Conservation of Greater Sage-grouse in Wyoming

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Author : Anushika De Silva
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 122 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (946 download)

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Book Synopsis A Large-scale Multi-seasonal Habitat Prioritization and an Analysis of Structural Connectivity for the Conservation of Greater Sage-grouse in Wyoming by : Anushika De Silva

Download or read book A Large-scale Multi-seasonal Habitat Prioritization and an Analysis of Structural Connectivity for the Conservation of Greater Sage-grouse in Wyoming written by Anushika De Silva and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Habitat loss is widely recognized as the primary cause of global declines in biodiversity and is linked to human disturbances through widespread land-use changes (Menon et al., 2001). As a consequence, wildlife species must persist on landscapes that are greatly modified and fragmented (Moilanen et al., 2005). Disruptions affecting the structural connectivity can hinder ecological flows of energy, nutrients and the natural dispersal of species across the landscape. Therefore, in order to conserve wildlife populations, we are challenged with securing areas where species are most likely to survive in the long run while maintaining habitat connectivity to facilitate natural ecological processes and meta-population dynamics (Gardner et al., 1993; Early and Thomas, 2007). Identifying conservation priority areas is an essential step in wildlife conservation planning. In order to achieve long term conservation success amid increasing developments and environmental degradation, we must aim for biologically and ecologically comprehensive and justifiable approaches that take multiple factors into consideration when defining conservation priority areas. In addition, when prioritizing the landscape, we must also account for the variations in habitat use caused by seasonal changes throughout the annual cycle in order to protect indispensable habitat across all seasons and life-stages. Thus, my first objective was to develop an annual habitat prioritization for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) in Wyoming, USA by combining nesting, summer and winter habitat selection models in an ecologically meaningful way using a quantitative spatial prioritization tool. I assessed the capacity of Wyoming's current sage-grouse protected areas for capturing priority areas across the full annual cycle in order to quantify the importance of a multi-seasonal (i.e., annual) habitat prioritization. While, the annual habitat prioritized substantial as well as very similar fractions of the best habitat from each individual season, results indicated that the protected areas did not account for 52% of the top 25% of best annual habitat. As expected, the individual seasonal analysis confirmed that the protected areas contained more nesting priority habitat and failed to capture substantial fractions of summer and winter priority habitat. My second objective was to model connectivity between sage-grouse lek sites by applying circuit theory across the annual habitat model. I calculated the correlation between connectivity and habitat use across the annual and nesting habitat selection models to test if greater connectivity resulted in larger and more stable populations independent of habitat. I examined these trends across years of high population as well as years of low population. The structural connectivity of the landscape was not strongly correlated with the relative probability of habitat use across both nesting and annual habitat models (r = 0.3). Increasing connectivity was associated with increasing population sizes at leks and decreasing variability in lek counts; thus signifying that structural connectivity has a positive influence on population abundance and supports greater stability at lek sites. These trends also extended across years of high population as well as years of population declines, therefore indicating the importance of structural connectivity across the full cycle. Overall, my research explicitly integrates across all seasonal habitats supporting a multi-seasonal approach over a single-season approach for identifying priority areas in order to shield sage-grouse from human induced disturbances across the full annual cycle. Furthermore, I found that the structural connectivity of the landscape is beyond a simple summarization of habitat availability; therefore, when prioritizing the landscape and identifying core areas for protection, considering areas of high structural connectivity in addition to good quality habitat would enhance overall conservation outcomes across the full annual cycle.