| Multi-scale assessment of greater sage-grouse fence collision as a function of site and broad scale factors | Stevens, Bryan S. | 2012 |
Keywordsavian collisionCentrocercus urophasianusfence managementgreater sage-grouseIdahoinfrastructure collisionmodeling collision risk AbstractPrevious research in Europe and North America suggested grouse are susceptible to collision with infrastructure, and anecdotal observation suggested greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) fence collision in breeding habitats may be prevalent. However, no previous research systematically studied greater sage-grouse fence collision in any portion of their range. We used data from probability-based sampling of fences in greater sage-grouse breeding habitats of southern Idaho, USA, to model factors associated with collision at microsite and broad spatial scales. Site-scale modeling suggested collision may be influenced by technical attributes of fences, with collisions common at fence segments absent wooden fence posts and with segment widths >4?m. Broad-scale modeling suggested relative probability of collision was influenced by region, a terrain ruggedness index (TRI), and fence density per square km. Conditional on those factors, collision counts were also influenced by distance to nearest active sage-grouse lek. Our models provide a conceptual framework for prioritizing sage-grouse breeding habitats for collision mitigation such as fence marking or moving, and suggest mitigation in breeding habitats should start in areas with moderate-high fence densities (>1?km/km2) within 2?km of active leks. However, TRI attenuated other covariate effects, and mean TRI/km2 >10?m nearly eliminated sage-grouse collision. Thus, our data suggested mitigation should focus on sites with flat to gently rolling terrain. Moreover, site-scale modeling suggested constructing fences with larger and more conspicuous wooden fence posts and segment widths <4?m may reduce collision. (c) 2012 The Wildlife Society. AuthorsStevens, Bryan S.; Connelly, John W.; Reese, Kerry P. Year Published2012 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.1002/jwmg.397 |
| Disturbance factors influencing greater sage-grouse lek abandonment in north-central Wyoming | Hess, Jennifer E. | 2012 |
Keywordsbig sagebrush, Centrocercus urophasianus, cumulative disturbance factors, energy development, greater sage-grouse, lek, abandonment, shrubs, wildfire AbstractDetecting the disappearance of active leks is the most efficient way to determine large declines in greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations; thus, understanding factors that influence lek abandonment is critical. We evaluated factors that may have influenced the probability of sage-grouse lek abandonment in the Bighorn Basin (BHB) of north-central Wyoming from 1980 to 2009. Our objective was to examine lek abandonment based on landscape characteristics that explain differences between occupied and unoccupied leks. We evaluated lek abandonment from 144 occupied and 39 unoccupied leks from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department lek database with sufficient data for our 30-year analysis. We conducted our analysis with binary logistic regression using landscape predictor variables obtained from geographic coverages at 5 scales (1.0-, 3.2-, 4.0-, 5.0-, and 6.4-km radii around leks) to evaluate how these disturbances have influenced lek abandonment. Coverages included anthropogenic characteristics such as agricultural development, oil and gas development, prescribed burned treatments, and roads; and environmental characteristics such as vegetation attributes and wildfire. Our combined model included the number of oil and gas wells in a 1.0-km radius, percent area of wildfire in a 1.0-km radius, and variability in shrub height in a 1.0-km radius around sage-grouse leks. Abandoned (unoccupied) leks had 1.1-times the variability of shrub height in a 1.0-km radius, 3.1-times the percentage of wildfire in a 1.0-km radius, and 10.3-times the number of oil and gas wells in a 1.0-km radius compared to occupied leks. The model-averaged odds of lek persistence with every 1 unit increase in oil and gas wells within a 1.0-km radius was 0.66 (90% CI: 0.370.94), odds with every 1% increase in wildfire in a 1.0-km radius was 0.99 (90% CI: 0.851.12), and odds with every 1 unit increase in the standard deviation of shrub height within a 1.0-km radius around a lek was 0.77 (90% CI: 0.451.08). Because the 90% confidence intervals around the odds ratios of wells did not overlap 1.0, we suggest this predictor variable was most influential in our model-averaged estimates. The BHB has lower developed reserves of oil and gas than many other regions; however, our study supports findings from other studies that demonstrate energy development increases lek abandonment. Our findings indicate conservation efforts should be focused on minimizing well development and implementing wildfire suppression tactics near active sage-grouse leks. (c) 2012 The Wildlife Society. AuthorsHess, Jennifer E.; Beck, Jeffrey L. Year Published2012 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.1002/jwmg.417 |
| Greater sage-grouse and fences: Does marking reduce collisions? | Stevens, B.S. | 2012 |
Keywordsavian collisionCentrocercus urophasianuscollision mitigationfence managementgreater sage-grouseIdahoinfrastructure markingprairie-grouse AbstractCollision with infrastructure such as fences is widespread and common for many species of grouse. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) fence-collision has been documented and fence-marking methods have been recommended for mitigating prairie-grouse collision in rangeland habitats. We tested a marking method in greater sage-grouse breeding habitat and modeled collision as a function of fence marking and control covariates, in Idaho (USA) in 2010. Our results suggested collision risk decreased with fence marking, increased with lek-count indices of local abundance, and decreased with increasing distance from lek. We found an approximate 83% reduction in collision rates at marked fences relative to unmarked fences. Our results also suggested marking may not be necessary on all fences, and mitigation should focus on areas with locally abundant grouse populations and fence segments <500 m from large leks and moving or removing fences may be necessary in some areas if management is to eliminate collision AuthorsSTEVENS, B. S., REESE, K. P., CONNELLY, J. W. & MUSIL, D. D. Year Published2012 PublicationWildlife Society Bulletin Locations- Clark County, Idaho (44.3, -112.45)
- Butte County, Idaho (44.1667, -113.375)
- Jefferson County, Idaho (44.0417, -112.625)
- Blaine County, Idaho (43.2482, -114.04)
- Twin Falls County, Idaho (42.3506, -114.644)
DOI10.1002/wsb.142 |
| Burning and mowing Wyoming big sagebrush: Do treated sites meet minimum guidelines for greater sage‐grouse breeding habitats? | Hess, J.E. | 2012 |
KeywordsArtemisia tridentata; Centrocercus urophasianus; early brood-rearing; greater sage-grouse; habitat management; mowing; nesting; prescribed burning; Wyoming; Wyoming big sagebrush AbstractWyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) treatments are often implemented to improve breeding habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of considerable conservation concern. In 2008 and 2009, we measured vegetation structure available to sage-grouse for breeding at 19 sites that were prescribed burned during 1990–1999 and 2000–2006, 6 sites that were mowed during 2000–2006, and 25 paired, untreated reference sites in the Bighorn Basin of north-central Wyoming, USA. We compared minimum guidelines for canopy cover and height of Wyoming big sagebrush and perennial grass in arid greater sage-grouse breeding habitat (Connelly et al. 2000b) to measurements at our sampling sites. Sagebrush canopy cover and height at reference sites met the minimum guidelines. Sagebrush canopy cover at burned and mowed sites did not meet the minimum guideline, except for sites mowed on aridic soils measured during 2009. Burned and mowed (3 of 4 cases) sagebrush did not meet minimum height for breeding up to 19 yr and 9 yr post-treatment, respectively. Perennial grass canopy cover and height met the minimum guidelines for breeding habitat at reference, burned, and mowed sites. Burning increased grass canopy cover, but not height, compared to reference sites in 2 of 8 instances. Because burning, but not mowing, infrequently enhanced grass cover, but not height, and sagebrush structure was reduced by both practices for long periods, managers should consider how treatments may negatively affect Wyoming big sagebrush communities for sage-grouse and consider other practices, including continued nontreatment and improved livestock grazing, to increase grass cover and height. AuthorsHess, J. E., & Beck, J. L. Year Published2012 PublicationWildlife Society Bulletin LocationsDOI10.1002/wsb.92 |
| Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus migration links the USA and Canada: a biological basis for international prairie conservation | Tack, Jason D. | 2012 |
KeywordsKeywords Canada, Centrocercus urophasianus, greatersage-grouse, migration, Near Threatened species, prairie,transboundary conservation, USA AbstractMigratory pathways in North American prairies are critical for sustaining endemic biodiversity. Fragmentation and loss of habitat by an encroaching human footprint has extirpated and severely truncated formerly large movements by prairie wildlife populations. Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, a Near Threatened landscape species requiring vast tracts of intact sagebrush Artemisia spp., exhibit varied migratory strategies across their range in response to the spatial composition of available habitats. We unexpectedly documented the longest migratory event ever observed in sage-grouse (> 120 km one way) in 2007-2009 while studying demography of a population at the north-east edge of their range. Movements that encompassed 6,687 km(2) included individuals using distinct spring and summer ranges and then freely intermixing on the winter range in what is probably an obligate, annual event. The fate of greater sage-grouse in Canada is in part dependent on habitat conservation in the USA because this population spans an international border. Expanding agricultural tillage and development of oil and gas fields threaten to sever connectivity for this imperilled population. Science can help delineate high priority conservation areas but the fate of landscapes ultimately depends on international partnerships implementing conservation at scales relevant to prairie wildlife. AuthorsTack, Jason D.; Naugle, David E.; Carlson, John C.; Fargey, Pat J. Year Published2012 PublicationOryx LocationsDOI10.1017/S003060531000147X |
| Experimental Evidence for the Effects of Chronic Anthropogenic Noise on Abundance of Greater Sage-Grouse at Leks | Blickley, Jessica L. | 2012 |
Keywordschronic noise, energy development, Centrocercus urophasianus roads AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that chronic noise from human activities negatively affects wild animals, but most studies have failed to separate the effects of chronic noise from confounding factors, such as habitat fragmentation. We played back recorded continuous and intermittent anthropogenic sounds associated with natural gas drilling and roads at leks of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). For 3 breeding seasons, we monitored sage grouse abundance at leks with and without noise. Peak male attendance (i.e., abundance) at leks experimentally treated with noise from natural gas drilling and roads decreased 29% and 73%, respectively, relative to paired controls. Decreases in abundance at leks treated with noise occurred in the first year of the study and continued throughout the experiment. Noise playback did not have a cumulative effect over time on peak male attendance. There was limited evidence for an effect of noise playback on peak female attendance at leks or male attendance the year after the experiment ended. Our results suggest that sage-grouse avoid leks with anthropogenic noise and that intermittent noise has a greater effect on attendance than continuous noise. Our results highlight the threat of anthropogenic noise to population viability for this and other sensitive species. AuthorsBlickley, Jessica L.; Blackwood, Diane; Patricelli, Gail L. Year Published2012 PublicationConservation Biology LocationsDOI10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01840.x |
| Landscape features and weather influence nest survival of a ground-nesting bird of conservation concern, the greater sage-grouse, in human-altered environments. | Webb, Stephen L. | 2012 |
Keywordsbehavior, Centrocercus urophasianus, conservation, greater sage-grouse, depredation, generalized linear mixed model, management, nest survival, weather AbstractIntroduction: Ground-nesting birds experience high levels of nest predation. However, birds can make selection decisions related to nest site location and characteristics that may result in physical, visual, and olfactory impediments to predators. Methods: We studied daily survival rate (DSR) of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from 2008 to 2010 in an area in Wyoming experiencing large-scale alterations to the landscape. We used generalized linear mixed models to model fixed and random effects, and a correlation within nesting attempts, individual birds, and years. Results: Predation of the nest was the most common source of nest failure (84.7%) followed by direct predation of the female (13.6%). Generally, landscape variables at the nest site (= 30 m) were more influential on DSR of nests than features at larger spatial scales. Percentage of shrub canopy cover at the nest site (15-m scale) and distances to natural gas wells and mesic areas had a positive relationship with DSR of nests, whereas distance to roads had a negative relationship with DSR of nests. When added to the vegetation model, maximum wind speed on the day of nest failure and a 1-day lag in precipitation (i.e., precipitation the day before failure) improved model fit whereby both variables negatively influenced DSR of nests. Conclusions: Nest site characteristics that reduce visibility (i.e., shrub canopy cover) have the potential to reduce depredation, whereas anthropogenic (i.e., distance to wells) and mesic landscape features appear to facilitate depredation. Last, predators may be more efficient at locating nests under certain weather conditions (i.e., high winds and moisture). AuthorsWebb, Stephen L.; Olson, Chad V.; Dzialak, Matthew R.; Harju, Seth M.; Winstead, Jeffrey B.; Lockman, Dusty Year Published2012 PublicationEcological Processes LocationsDOI10.1186/2192-1709-1-4 |
| Experimental Chronic Noise Is Related to Elevated Fecal Corticosteroid Metabolites in Lekking Male Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) | Blickley, Jessica L. | 2012 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractThere is increasing evidence that individuals in many species avoid areas exposed to chronic anthropogenic noise, but the impact of noise on those who remain in these habitats is unclear. One potential impact is chronic physiological stress, which can affect disease resistance, survival and reproductive success. Previous studies have found evidence of elevated stress-related hormones (glucocorticoids) in wildlife exposed to human activities, but the impacts of noise alone are difficult to separate from confounding factors. Here we used an experimental playback study to isolate the impacts of noise from industrial activity (natural gas drilling and road noise) on glucocorticoid levels in greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of conservation concern. We non-invasively measured immunoreactive corticosterone metabolites from fecal samples (FCMs) of males on both noise-treated and control leks (display grounds) in two breeding seasons. We found strong support for an impact of noise playback on stress levels, with 16.7% higher mean FCM levels in samples from noise leks compared with samples from paired control leks. Taken together with results from a previous study finding declines in male lek attendance in response to noise playbacks, these results suggest that chronic noise pollution can cause greater sage-grouse to avoid otherwise suitable habitat, and can cause elevated stress levels in the birds who remain in noisy areas. AuthorsBlickley, Jessica L.; Word, Karen R.; Krakauer, Alan H.; Phillips, Jennifer L.; Sells, Sarah N.; Taff, Conor C.; Wingfield, John C.; Patricelli, Gail L. Year Published2012 PublicationPLOS One LocationsDOI10.1371/journal.pone.0050462 |
| GREATER SAGE-GROUSE (CENTROCERCUS UROPHASIANUS) SELECT NEST SITES AND BROOD SITES AWAY FROM AVIAN PREDATORS | Dinkins, Jonathan B. | 2012 |
Keywordsavian predator, brood-site selection, Centrocercus urophasianus, Greater Sage-Grouse, nest-site selection, predation risk, predator avoidance, spatial autocorrelation AbstractGreater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined in distribution and abundance in western North America over the past century. Depredation of nests and predation of chicks can be two of the most influential factors limiting their productivity. Prey species utilize antipredation behaviors, such as predator avoidance, to reduce the risk of predation. Birds in general balance the dual necessity of selecting cover to hide from visual and olfactory predators to enhance prospects of survival and reproductive success, which may also be achieved by selecting habitat with relatively fewer predators. We compared avian predator densities at Greater Sage-Grouse nests and brood locations with those at random locations within available sage-grouse habitat in Wyoming. This comparison allowed us to assess the species' ability to avoid avian predators during nesting and early brood rearing. During 2008-2010, we conducted 10-min point-count surveys at 218 nests, 249 brood locations from 83 broods, and 496 random locations. We found that random locations had higher densities of avian predators compared with nest and brood locations. Greater Sage-Grouse nested in areas where there were lower densities of Common Ravens (Corvus corax), Black-billed Magpies (Pica hudsonia), Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), and hawks (Buteo spp.) compared with random locations. Additionally, they selected brood-rearing locations with lower densities of those same avian predators and of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), compared with random locations. By selecting nest and brood-rearing locations with lower avian predator densities, Greater Sage-Grouse may reduce the risk of nest depredation and predation on eggs, chicks, and hens. Received 24 May 2011, accepted 4 June 2012. AuthorsDinkins, Jonathan B.; Conover, Michael R.; Kirol, Christopher P.; Beck, Jeffrey L. Year Published2012 PublicationThe Auk: Ornithological Advances LocationsDOI10.1525/auk.2012.12009 |
| MICROHABITAT SELECTION FOR NESTING AND BROOD-REARING BY THE GREATER SAGE-GROUSE IN XERIC BIG SAGEBRUSH | Kirol, Christopher P. | 2012 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, brood-rearing, grass cover, biological soil crust, Greater Sage-Grouse, microhabitat selection, nest occurrence, Wyoming AbstractUnderstanding selection of breeding habitat is critical to conserving and restoring habitats for the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), particularly in xeric landscapes (<= 25 cm annual precipitation). We monitored radio-marked female sage-grouse in south-central Wyoming in 2008 and 2009 to assess microhabitat use during nesting and brood rearing. For each model we grouped variables into three hypothesis sets on the basis of the weight of support from previous research (a priori information). We used binary logistic regression to compare habitat used by grouse to that at random locations and used an information-theoretic approach to identify the best-supported models. Selection of microhabitat for nests was more positively correlated with mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata vaseyana) than with Wyoming big sagebrush (A. t. wyomingensis) and negatively correlated with cheatgrass. Nesting hens also selected microhabitats with greater litter cover. Microhabitat for brood-rearing had more perennial grass and sagebrush cover than did random locations. Microhabitat variables most supported in the literature, such as forb cover and perennial grass cover, accounted for only 8% and 16% of the pure variation in our models for early and late brood rearing, respectively. Our findings suggest sage-grouse inhabiting xeric sagebrush habitats rely on sagebrush cover and grass structure for nesting as well as brood-rearing and that at the microhabitat scale these structural characteristics may be more important than forb availability. Therefore, in xeric sagebrush, practices designed to increase forb production by markedly reducing sagebrush cover, as a means to increase sage-grouse productivity, may not be justified. AuthorsKirol, Christopher P.; Beck, Jeffrey L.; Dinkins, Jonathan B.; Conover, Michael R. Year Published2012 PublicationThe Condor: Ornithological Applications LocationsDOI10.1525/cond.2012.110024 |
