| Sage grouse in Saskatchewan | BRADSHAW, F. | 1929 |
Sage grouse in SaskatchewanKeywordsNo keywords available AbstractNotes on food, nesting, and other habits. AuthorsBRADSHAW, F. Year Published1929 PublicationCanadian Field Nat Locations |
| Oil and gas development in western North America: effects on sagebrush steppe avifauna with particular emphasis on sage grouse. | Braun, Clait E. | 2002 |
Oil and gas development in western North America: effects on sagebrush steppe avifauna with particular emphasis on sage grouse.KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractNo abstract available AuthorsBraun, Clait E.; Oedekoven, Olin O.; Aldridge, Cameron L. Year Published2002 PublicationTransactions of The North American Wildlife And Natural Resources Conference Locations- Alberta, Canada (49.4, -110.702)
- Jackson county, Colorado (40.6667, -106.333)
- Moffat county, Colorado (40.65, -108.083)
- Rio Blanco county, Colorado (39.95, -108.2)
- Routt county, Colorado (40.5167, -106.983)
- northeastern Wyoming (44.4, -105.8)
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| Distribution and status of sage grouse in Colorado | Braun, Clait E. | 1995 |
Distribution and status of sage grouse in ColoradoKeywordsNo keywords available AbstractSage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) historically occurred in at least 23 and probably 27 counties within Colorado. Historic populations were largest in northern Colorado where sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) rangelands were most widespread. Currently, sage grouse occur in 15 counties in Colorado and are considered secure in only 5 counties. The long-term downward trend in sage grouse distribution and abundance in Colorado is related to loss of sagebrush-dominated rangelands and alteration and degradation of remaining sagebrush ecosystems. Management experiments are urgently needed to understand the importance of residual herbaceous cover to nest success and early brood survival. and to assess size and type of areas necessary to maintain viable populations of sage grouse. AuthorsBraun, Clait E. Year Published1995 PublicationPrairie Naturalist Locations |
| Comparison of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platforms for Assessing Vegetation Cover in Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems | Breckenridge, Robert P. | 2011 |
Keywordsbare ground, fixed-wing, helicopter, landscape, monitoring, remote sensing AbstractIn this study, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a quick and safe method for monitoring biotic resources was evaluated. Vegetation cover and the amount of bare ground are important factors in understanding the sustainability of many ecosystems. Methods that improve speed and cost efficiency could greatly improve how biotic resources are monitored on western lands. Sagebrush steppe ecosystems provide important habitat for a variety of species including sage grouse and pygmy rabbit. Improved methods of monitoring these habitats are needed because not enough resource specialists or funds are available for comprehensive on-the-ground evaluations. In this project, two UAV platforms, fixed-wing and helicopter, were used to collect still-frame imagery to assess vegetation cover in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. This paper discusses the process for collecting and analyzing imagery from the UAVs to 1) estimate percentage of cover for six different vegetation types (shrub, dead shrub, grass, forb, litter, and bare ground) and 2) locate sage grouse using representative decoys. The field plots were located on the Idaho National Laboratory site west of Idaho Falls, Idaho, in areas with varying amounts and types of vegetation cover. A software program called SamplePoint was used along with visual inspection to evaluate percentage of cover for the six cover types. Results were compared against standard field measurements to assess accuracy. The comparison of fixed-wing and helicopter UAV technology against field estimates shows good agreement for the measurement of bare ground. This study shows that if a high degree of detail and data accuracy is desired, then a helicopter UAV may be a good platform to use. If the data collection objective is to assess broad-scale landscape level changes, then the collection of imagery with a fixed-wing system is probably more appropriate. AuthorsBreckenridge, Robert P.; Dakins, Maxine; Bunting, Stephen; Harbour, Jerry L.; White, Sera Year Published2011 PublicationRangeland Ecology & Management LocationsDOI10.2111/REM-D-10-00030.1 |
| Using Statistical Population Reconstruction to Estimate Demographic Trends in Small Game Populations | Broms, Kristin | 2010 |
Keywordsage-at-harvest, Centrocercus urophasianus, hunter survey, lek count, population reconstruction, sage-grouse, wing-bee AbstractStatistical population reconstruction offers a robust approach to demographic assessment for harvested populations, but current methods are restricted to big-game species with multiple age classes. We extended this approach to small game and analyzed 14 years of age-at-harvest data for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in Oregon, USA, in conjunction with radiotelemetry data to reconstruct annual abundance levels, recruitment, and natural survival probabilities. Abundance estimates ranged from a low of 26,236 in 1995 to a high of 39,492 in 2004. Annual abundance estimates for adult males were correlated with a spring lek count index (r = 0.849, P < 0.029). We estimated the average annual harvest mortality for the population to be 0.028, ranging from 0.021 to 0.031 across years. We estimated the probability of natural survival of adult females to be 0.818 ( = 0.052), somewhat higher than that of adult males ((S) over cap = 0.609, (SE) over cap = 0.163). Our precision in reconstructing the population was hampered by low harvest rates and the few birds tagged in the radiotelemetry investigations. Despite these issues, our analysis illustrates how modern statistical reconstruction procedures offer a flexible framework for demographic assessment using commonly collected data. This approach offers a useful alternative to small-game indices and would be most appropriate for species with 5 or more years of age-at-harvest data and moderate-to-heavy harvest rates. AuthorsBroms, Kristin; Skalski, John R.; Millspaugh, Joshua J.; Hagen, Christian A.; Schulz, John H. Year Published2010 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2193/2008-469 |
| Greater Sage-Grouse Movements and Habitat use during Winter in Central Oregon | Bruce, Jennifer R. | 2011 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractGreater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) depend on sagebrush habitat for food and cover during winter, yet few sage-grouse winter ecology studies have been conducted. During January and February 2007, we monitored 22 radio-collared sage-grouse (7 females and 15 males) in central Oregon to characterize winter habitat use and movement patterns. We estimated distances traveled between locations on a weekly basis and quantified habitat characteristics at locations used by male and female sage-grouse. The birds we collared moved extensively across the landscape, using approximately 1480 km(2). Sagebrush canopy height in sites used by sage-grouse varied from 0.25 to 0.75 m, with females tending to be found in sites with taller sagebrush and less foliar cover than ill sites where we found males. The difference in foliar cover between sexes was related to a seasonal change in habitat use: 4 females found in little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula) in January and early February were no longer located nor found foraging in little sagebrush after 15 February. Also, by this date, most male sage-grouse had stopped using big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate) as they migrated to leks. Sage-grouse mortality rates were low during our study which May be attributed to the study area receiving half the long-term average amount of snow. The large area over which sage-grouse moved during winter indicates that conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse may require preservation of sagebrush at landscape scales (thousands of square kilometers). AuthorsBruce, Jennifer R.; Robinson, W. Douglas; Petersen, Steven L.; Miller, Richard F. Year Published2011 PublicationWestern North American Naturalist LocationsDOI10.3398/064.071.0310 |
| COMMON RAVEN ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO LAND USE IN WESTERN WYOMING: IMPLICATIONS FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS | Bui, Thuy-Vy D. | 2010 |
Keywordsanthropogenic subsidies, Centrocercus urophasianus, Common Raven, Corvus corax, density and occupancy modeling, Greater Sage-Grouse, nest and brood predation. AbstractAnthropogenic changes in landscapes can favor generalist species adapted to human settlement, such as the Common Raven (Corvus corax), by providing new resources. Increased densities of predators can then negatively affect prey, especially rare or sensitive species. Jackson Hole and the upper Green River valley in western Wyoming are experiencing accelerated rates of human development due to tourism and natural gas development, respectively. Increased raven populations in these areas may negatively influence the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a sensitive sagebrush specialist. We investigated landscape-level patterns in raven behavior and distribution and the correlation of the raven data with the grouse's reproductive success in western Wyoming. In our study areas towns provide ravens with supplemental food, water, and nest sites, leading to locally increased density but with apparently limited (< 3 km) movement by ravens from towns to adjacent areas of undeveloped sagebrush. Raven density and occupancy were greatest in land covers with frequent human activity. In sagebrush with little human activity, raven density near incubating and brooding sage-grouse was elevated slightly relative to that expected and observed in sagebrush not known to hold grouse. Raven occupancy near sage-grouse nests and broods was more highly correlated with sage-grouse success than were raven density and behavior, suggesting that the majority of nest predation by ravens is most likely carried out by resident territorial individuals. Integrated region-wide improvement of sagebrush habitat, removal of anthropogenic subsidies, and perhaps removal or aversive conditioning of offending ravens might benefit sage-grouse populations in our study area. AuthorsBui, Thuy-Vy D.; Marzluff, John M.; Bedrosian, Bryan Year Published2010 PublicationThe Condor: Ornithological Applications LocationsDOI10.1525/cond.2010.090132 |
| Occupied and unoccupied sage grouse habitat in Strawberry Valley, Utah | Bunnell, KD | 2004 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, logistic regression, sagebrush, sage grouse AbstractThis study evaluated multiple aspects of spring/summer sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) habitat in Strawberry Valley, Utah by measuring vegetation associated with nest, brood and adult use sites. In addition, 3 types of random habitats were measured including available habitat within core use areas, random sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)/grass habitat outside core use are-as, and random sagebrush/grass habitat sites that had been converted to an understory of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss) by past range management practices. Logistic regression was used to identify those habitat variables that discriminated between site types. Variables that discriminated adult habitat from brood rearing habitat included: 1) sagebrush height (P less than or equal to 0.01) and 2) forb diversity (P = 0.12) with sagebrush height being greater at adult sites and forb diversity greater at brood sites Variables that significantly discriminated occupied adult habitat from random habitat outside of core use areas included: 1) percent grass cover (P less than or equal to 0.01) and 2) area of sagebrush canopy (P = 0.03) with both variables having grater values in adult habitat. Variables that significantly discriminated occupied adult habitat from random habitat with a smooth brome understory included: 1) percent forb cover (P less than or equal to 0.01), 2) shrub canopy cover (P = 0.02), and 3) area of sagebrush canopy (P = 0.08) with all variables being greater in adult habitat. In addition, this study identified sagebrush age, sagebrush canopy area, and forb diversity as potentially important aspects of sage grouse habitat that have not been previously reported. AuthorsBunnell, KD; Flinders, JT; Mitchell, DL; Warder, JH Year Published2004 PublicationJournal of Range Management LocationsDOI10.2307/4003983 |
| Altered rangeland ecosystems in the interior Columbia basin. | Bunting, Stephen C. | 2002 |
Altered rangeland ecosystems in the interior Columbia basin.KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractA workshop was held to address specific questions related to altered rangeland ecosystems within the interior Columbia basin. Focus was primarily on public lands administered by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Altered ecosystems were considered to be those where human-induced or natural disturbances are of sufficient magnitude to affect ecosystem processes, causing long-term loss or displacement of native community types and loss of productivity, making it difficult or impossible to restore these ecosystems to historical conditions. Seventeen rangeland potential vegetation types (PVT) were identified by the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project and briefly described. Reasons that rangeland ecosystems are altered include presence of invasive species, uncharacteristic grazing effects, climatic change, change in fire regime, and other factors related to human presence. However, primary causes of alteration and restoration potential differ among PVTs. Some altered rangeland ecosystems may be restored by stabilizing ecosystem processes, restoring native plant communities, reducing the spread of invasive species, or conserving existing biota. In some altered conditions, these options have a relatively high probability of success over the short term with low to moderate cost at the site scale. However, in other altered areas, restoration options are expensive, have a low probability of success, and require long timeframes. Restoration of rangeland PVTs is also necessary for the survival of some animal species whose populations are in decline such as the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage grouse. AuthorsBunting, Stephen C.; Kingery, James L.; Hemstrom, Miles A.; Schroeder, Michael A.; Gravenmier, Rebecca A.; Hann, Wendel J. Year Published2002 PublicationU S Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station General Technical Report Locations |
| Attachment of radiotransmitters to one-day-old sage grouse chicks | Burkepile, NA | 2002 |
Attachment of radiotransmitters to one-day-old sage grouse chicksKeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, chicks, radiotransmitters, sage grouse, telemetry AbstractOur understanding of cause- and age-specific mortality in sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) chicks is limited due to their cryptic and secretive nature. Recent improvements in radiotransmitters have enhanced our ability to monitor sage grouse chicks as young as one day old. We describe a suturing method to attach radiotransmitters to one-day-old sage grouse chicks. During springs of 1999 and 2000, we attached radiotransmitters to 75 chicks from 28 broods and monitored them daily. Radiotransmitter retention rates were high, and there was no sign of infection on recaptured chicks. Using suturing to attach radiotransmitters is an effective means to collect ecological data on sage grouse chicks. AuthorsBurkepile, NA; Connelly, JW; Stanley, DW; Reese, KP Year Published2002 PublicationWildlife Society Bulletin Locations |
