| Restoring Forbs for Sage Grouse Habitat: Fire, Microsites, and Establishment Methods. | Wirth, Troy A. | 2003 |
KeywordsAstragalus purshii;Centrocercus urophasianus;Crepis modocensis;Crepis occidentalis;fire;forbs;prescribed burning;revegetation;sagebrush steppe;sage grouse AbstractThe decline and range reduction of sage grouse populations are primarily due to permanent loss and degradation of sagebrush-grassland habitat. Several studies have shown that sage grouse productivity may be limited by the availability of certain preferred highly nutritious forb species that have also declined within sagebrush ecosystems of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of three species of forbs for revegetation projects where improving sage grouse habitat is a goal. Species suitability was determined by evaluating the emergence, survival, and reproduction of Crepis modocensis, C. occidentalis, and Astragalus purshii in response to method of establishment (seeding or transplanting), site preparation treatment (burned or unburned), and microsite (mound or interspace) in an Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis vegetation association in south central Oregon. For seeded plants A. purshii had the lowest emergence (8%) of all three species. Both seeded Crepis species had similar overall emergence (38%). Significantly more Crepis seedlings emerged from shrub mounds in unburned areas (50%) than in any other fire-by-microsite treatment (33 to 36%). Approximately 10% more Crepis seedlings survived in mounds compared with interspaces. Nearly twice as many emerging Crepis seedlings survived in the burned areas as opposed to unburned areas (p < 0.01). This resulted in more plant establishment in burned mounds despite higher emergence in unburned mounds. Astragalus purshii seedlings also survived better in burned areas (p = 0.06) but had no differential response to microsite. Fire enhanced survival of both Crepis and A. purshii transplants (p = 0.08 and p = 0.001). We believe additional research is needed to improve A. purshii emergence before it will become an effective plant for restoring sage grouse habitat. Conversely, we conclude that these Crepis species provide a viable revegetation option for improving sage grouse habitat in south central Oregon. AuthorsWirth, Troy A. and David A. Pyke. Year Published2003 PublicationRestoration Ecology LocationsDOI10.1046/j.1526-100X.2003.00159.x |
| A Landscape Approach for Ecologically Based Management of Great Basin Shrublands | Wisdom, Michael J. | 2009 |
Keywordscheatgrass; disturbance; resistance; sagebrush; Sage-grouse; woodlands AbstractNative shrublands dominate the Great Basin of western of North America, and most of these communities are at moderate or high risk of loss from non-native grass invasion and woodland expansion. Landscape-scale management based on differences in ecological resistance and resilience of shrublands can reduce these risks. We demonstrate this approach with an example that focuses on maintenance of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitats for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a bird species threatened by habitat loss. The approach involves five steps: (1) identify the undesired disturbance processes affecting each shrubland community type; (2) characterize the resistance and resilience of each shrubland type in relation to the undesired processes; (3) assess potential losses of shrublands based on their resistance, resilience, and associated risk; (4) use knowledge from these steps to design a landscape strategy to mitigate the risk of shrubland loss; and (5) implement the strategy with a comprehensive set of active and passive management prescriptions. Results indicate that large areas of the Great Basin currently provide Sage-grouse habitats, but many areas of sagebrush with low resistance and resilience may be lost to continued woodland expansion or invasion by non-native annual grasses. Preventing these losses will require landscape strategies that prioritize management areas based on efficient use of limited resources to maintain the largest shrubland areas over time. Landscape-scale approaches, based on concepts of resistance and resilience, provide an essential framework for successful management of arid and semiarid shrublands and their native species. AuthorsWisdom, Michael J.; Chambers, Jeanne C. Year Published2009 PublicationRestoration Ecology LocationsDOI10.1111/j.1526-100X.2009.00591.x |
| Landscape restoration for greater sage-grouse: implications for multiscale planning and monitoring. | Wisdom, Michael J. | 2005 |
Landscape restoration for greater sage-grouse: implications for multiscale planning and monitoring.KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractHabitats and populations of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined throughout western North America in response to a myriad of detrimental land uses. Successful restoration of this species' habitat, therefore, is of keen interest to Federal land agencies who oversee management of most remaining habitat. To illustrate the challenges and potential for landscape restoration, we summarized recent findings of restoration modeling for sage-grouse in the Interior Northwest. Changes in amount and quality of habitat were evaluated under proposed Federal management and under two restoration scenarios. Under the two scenarios, the rate of habitat loss was reduced and the quality of habitat was substantially improved compared to proposed management. These results have direct implications for restoration planning and monitoring. First, a strategic, multiscale approach is needed that links the scale of the stand with scales of the seasonal, year-round, and multipopulation ranges of sage-grouse. Second, consideration of connectivity across scales is essential. Third, extensive and sustained use of a holistic suite of passive and active restoration treatments is needed. And finally, monitoring of both habitat and population responses across scales is critical. We offer suggestions on these and related points for effective restoration planning and monitoring of sage-grouse habitat. AuthorsWisdom, Michael J.; Rowland, Mary M.; Hemstrom, Miles A.; Wales, Barbara C. Year Published2005 PublicationU S Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Proceedings Locations |
| Modeled Effects of Sagebrush-Steppe Restoration on Greater Sage-Grouse in the Interior Columbia Basin, U.S.A. | Wisdom, MJ | 2002 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractHabitats of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined across western North America, and most remaining habitats occur on lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service (FS) and U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Consequently, managers of FS-BLM lands need effective strategies to recover sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitats on which this species depends. In response to this need, we evaluated the potential benefits of two restoration scenarios on Greater Sage-Grouse in the interior Columbia Basin and adjacent portions of the Great Basin of the western United States. Scenario 1 assumed a 50% reduction in detrimental grazing effects (through changes in stocking rates and grazing systems) and a six-fold increase in areas treated with active restoration (e.g., prescribed burning, native seedings, wildfire suppression) compared with future management proposed by the FS-BLM. Scenario 2 assumed a 100% reduction in detrimental grazing effects and the same increase in active restoration as scenario 1. To evaluate benefits, we estimated the risk of population extirpation for sage grouse 100 years in the future under the two scenarios and compared this risk with that estimated for proposed (100-year) FS-BLM management. We used estimates of extirpation risk for historical (circa 1850-1890) and current time periods as a context for our comparison. Under historical conditions, risk of extirpation was very low on FS-BLM lands, but increased to a moderate probability under current conditions. Under proposed FS-BLM management, risk of extirpation on FS-BLM lands increased to a high probability 100 years in the future. Benefits of the two restoration scenarios, however, constrained the future risk of extirpation to a moderate probability. Our results suggest that expansive and sustained habitat restoration can maintain desired conditions and reduce future extirpation risk for sage grouse on FS-BLM lands in western North America. The continued spread of exotic plants, however, presents a formidable challenge to successful restoration and warrants substantial research and management attention. AuthorsWisdom, MJ; Rowland, MM; Wales, BC; Hemstrom, MA; Hann, WJ; Raphael, MG; Holthausen, RS; Gravenmier, RA; Rich, TD Year Published2002 PublicationConservation Biology LocationsDOI10.1046/j.1523-1739.2002.01073.x |
| Performance of Greater Sage-Grouse Models for Conservation Assessment in the Interior Columbia Basin, U.S.A. | Wisdom, MJ | 2002 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractValid modeling of habitats and populations of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus ) is a critical management need because of increasing concern about population viability. Consequently, we evaluated the performance of two models designed to assess landscape conditions for Greater Sage-Grouse across 13.6 million ha of sagebrush steppe in the interior Columbia Basin and adjacent portions of the Great Basin of the western United States (referred to as the basin). The first model, the environmental index model, predicted conditions at the scale of the subwatershed (mean size of approximately 7800 ha) based on inputs of habitat density, habitat quality, and effects of human disturbance. Predictions ranged on a continuous scale from 0 for lowest environmental index to 2 for optimal environmental index. The second model, the population outcome model, predicted the composite, range-wide conditions for sage grouse based on the contribution of environmental index values from all subwatersheds and measures of range extent and connectivity. Population outcomes were expressed as five classes (A through E) that represented a gradient from continuous, well-distributed populations (outcome A) to sparse, highly isolated populations with a high likelihood of extirpation (outcome E). To evaluate performance, we predicted environmental index values and population outcome classes in areas currently occupied by sage grouse versus areas where extirpation has occurred. Our a priori expectations were that models should predict substantially worse environmental conditions (lower environmental index) and a substantially higher probability of extirpation (lower population outcome class) in extirpated areas. Results for both models met these expectations. For example, a population outcome of class E was predicted for extirpated areas, as opposed to class C for occupied areas. These results suggest that our models provided reliable landscape predictions for the conditions tested. This finding is important for conservation planning in the basin, where the models were used to evaluate management of federal lands for sage grouse. AuthorsWisdom, MJ; Wales, BC; Rowland, MM; Raphael, MG; Holthausen, RS; Rich, TD; Saab, VA Year Published2002 PublicationConservation Biology LocationsDOI10.1046/j.1523-1739.2002.01074.x |
| Initial effects of prescribed fire on morphology, abundance, and phenology of forbs in big sagebrush communities in southeastern Oregon | Wrobleski, DW | 2003 |
KeywordsAntennaria dimorpha; Astragalus malachus; Astragalus purshii; Centrocercus urophasianus; Crepis modocensis; fire-enhanced flowering; Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge; Lomatium canbyi; Lomatium nevadense; Lomatium watsonii; morphology; phenology; Phlox gracilis; Phlox longifolia; prescribed fire; restoration; Sage Grouse; sagebrush AbstractHistoric fire return intervals in Artemesia tridentata (big sagebrush) ecosystems have been altered by livestock grazing, fire suppression, and other land management techniques resulting in ecological changes in these areas. Increases in abundance of woody vegetation may be causing declines in native herbaceous understory species. We examined the effects of prescribed fire on the morphology, abundance, and phenology of nine abundant forb (herbaceous dicot) species used selectively by Centrocercus urophasianus (Sage Grouse). In September 1997 prescribed fire was applied to four of eight randomly assigned 400-ha A.t. wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush) study plots at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Oregon. Livestock had not grazed experimental plots since 1991. Burning caused morphological changes such as significantly greater numbers of racemes and flowers per raceme in Astragalus malachus (shaggy milkvetch-Legumoideae) (9 in burn vs. 6 in control; 23 in burn vs. 21 in control, respectively). Also, prescribed burning caused greater numbers of flowers in Phlox gracilis (microsteris-Polemoniaceae) (57 vs. 13), greater numbers of umbels and umbelletts in Lomatium nevadense (Nevada desert parsley-Umbellifereae) (4 vs. 2 and 59 vs. 31, respectively), greater numbers of flower heads in Crepis modocensis (Modoc hawksbeard-Compositae) (32 vs. 21), and greater number of flowers/cm(3) in Phlox longifolia (longleaf phlox-Polemoniaceae) (0.11 vs. 0.06). Crown volume of Crepis modocensis (7,085 vs. 4,179 cm(3) ) and Astragalus malachus (2,854 vs. 1,761 cm(3) ) plants was greater in burned plots than control plots. However, burning resulted in a smaller crown area of Antennaria dimorpha (low pussytoes-Compositae) (20 vs. 37 cm(2) ). Phenology and time of flowering were also affected by fire. The period of active growth for each species was extended later into the summer in burned plots (p<0.01). In addition, Crepis modocensis and Lomatium nevadense flowered 12 to 14 days earlier in burned plots. Fire had no effect on frequency, density, and relative abundance of seven of the nine studied species. Fire reduced the frequency and relative abundance of A. dimorpha and Phlox longifolia and reduced the density of A. dimorpha . AuthorsWrobleski, DW; Kauffman, JB Year Published2003 PublicationRestoration Ecology LocationsDOI10.1046/j.1526-100X.2003.00084.x |
| Predictive modeling and mapping sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nesting habitat using Maximum Entropy and a long-term dataset from Southern Oregon | Yost, Andrew C. | 2008 |
KeywordsSage grouse; Predictive modeling and mapping; Maximum Entropy; Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge AbstractPredictive modeling and mapping based on the quantitative relationships between a species and the biophysical features (predictor variables) of the ecosystem in which it occurs can provide fundamental information for developing sustainable resource management policies for species and ecosystems. To create management strategies with the goal of sustaining a species such as sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), whose distribution throughout North America has declined by approximately 50%, land management agencies need to know what attributes of the range they now inhabit will keep populations sustainable and which attributes attract disproportionate levels of use within a home range. The objectives of this study were to 1) quantify the relationships between sage grouse nest-site locations and a set of associated biophysical attributes using Maximum Entropy, 2) find the best subset of predictor variables that explain the data adequately, 3) create quantitative sage grouse distribution maps representing the relative likelihood of nest-site habitat based on those relationships, and 3) evaluate the implications of the results for future management of sage grouse. Nest-site location data from 1995 to 2003 were collected as part of a long-term research program on sage grouse reproductive ecology at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. Two types of models were created: 1) with a set of predictor variables derived from digital elevation models, a field-validated vegetation classification, and UTM coordinates and 2) with the same predictors and UTM coordinates excluded. East UTM emerged as the most important predictor variable in the first type of model followed by the vegetation classification which was the most important predictor in the second type of model. The average training gain from ten modeling runs using all presence records and randomized background points was used to select the best subset of predictors. A predictive map of sage grouse nest-site habitat created from the application of the model to the study area showed strong overlap between model predictions and nest-site locations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. AuthorsYost, Andrew C.; Petersen, Steven L.; Gregg, Michael; Miller, Richard Year Published2008 PublicationEcological Informatics LocationsDOI10.1016/j.ecoinf.2008.08.004 |
| Phenotypic divergence of secondary sexual traits among sage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, populations | YOUNG, JR | 1994 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractSage grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, in an isolated montane basin near Gunnison, Colorado differ in several morphological and behavioural traits from conspecifics studied in other areas of the species' range. Both sexes in Gunnison are smaller than sage grouse elsewhere, and males possess differences in feather morphology as well. The mating behaviour of male sage grouse in three populations was examined to determine whether male strut displays of Gunnison sage grouse were behaviourally distinct. Behavioural analyses revealed Gunnison males perform strut displays at a slower rate than males in the two other sage grouse populations sampled. In addition, Gunnison males' strut displays contain unique visual and acoustical aspects. The most distinguishing attributes of Gunnison sage grouse were male secondary sexual characteristics including traits that correlate with mating success in other populations. Thus, phenotypic differences observed in the Gunnison population represent a divergence in expression of traits that are likely to be influenced by sexual selection. Recent models of speciation suggest that species characterized by intense sexual selection, such as those with lek mating systems, have the potential for rapid inter-populational divergence in male traits and female preferences leading to speciation. AuthorsYOUNG, JR; HUPP, JW; BRADBURY, JW; BRAUN, CE Year Published1994 PublicationAnimal Behaviour LocationsDOI10.1006/anbe.1994.1183 |
| A NEW SPECIES OF SAGE-GROUSE (PHASIANIDAE: CENTROCERCUS ) FROM SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO | Young, JR | 2000 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractThe Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is described as a new species from southwestern Colorado and contrasted with the Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from northern Colorado and western North America. Gunnison Sage-Grouse differ from all other described sage-grouse (C. u. urophasianus. C. u. phaios) in morphological measurements, plumage, courtship display, and generics. The species currently is limited to 8 isolated populations in southwestern Colorado and adjacent San Juan County, Utah. Total estimated spring breeding population is fewer than 5000 individuals with the largest population (<3000) in the Gunnison Basin (Gunnison and Saguache counties), Colorado. AuthorsYoung, JR; Braun, CE; Oyler-McCance, SJ; Hupp, JW; Quinn, TW Year Published2000 PublicationThe Wilson Bulletin LocationsDOI10.1676/0043-5643(2000)112[0445:ANSOSG]2.0.CO;2 |
| Estimation of greater sage-grouse survival in North Park, Colorado | Zablan, MA | 2003 |
Keywordsband recoveries, Centrocerucuros phasianuCso, loradog, reaters age-grouseh, unting,p rogramM ARKs,u rvival. AbstractWe estimated survival rates of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in North Park, Colorado, USA, from band-recovery data of 6,021 birds banded during spring, 1973-1990, with recoveries through 1993. Average annual adult female survival ((S) over bar = 0.59, SE = 0.011) was greater than average adult male survival ((S) over bar = 0.37, SE = 0.007), and average subadult (<1 yr old at time of banding) female survival ((S) over bar = 0.77, SE = 0.030) was greater than average subadult male survival ((S) over bar = 0.63, SE = 0.034). Four weather covariates (spring and winter precipitation and temperature) did not contribute to predicting annual survival. AuthorsZablan, MA; Braun, CE; White, GC Year Published2003 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2307/3803070 |
