| Yearling Greater Sage-Grouse Response to Energy Development in Wyoming. | HOLLORAN, MATTHEW J. | 2010 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus;energy development;greater sage-grouse;sage-grouse;Wyoming;yearling AbstractSagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-dominated habitats in the western United States have experienced extensive, rapid changes due to development of natural-gas fields, resulting in localized declines of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations. It is unclear whether population declines in natural-gas fields are caused by avoidance or demographic impacts, or the age classes that are most affected. Land and wildlife management agencies need information on how energy developments affect sage-grouse populations to ensure informed land-use decisions are made, effective mitigation measures are identified, and appropriate monitoring programs are implemented (Sawyer et al. 2006). We used information from radio-equipped greater sage-grouse and lek counts to investigate natural-gas development influences on 1) the distribution of, and 2) the probability of recruiting yearling males and females into breeding populations in the Upper Green River Basin of southwestern Wyoming, USA. Yearling males avoided leks near the infrastructure of natural-gas fields when establishing breeding territories; yearling females avoided nesting within 950 m of the infrastructure of natural-gas fields. Additionally, both yearling males and yearling females reared in areas where infrastructure was present had lower annual survival, and yearling males established breeding territories less often, compared to yearlings reared in areas with no infrastructure. Our results supply mechanisms for population-level declines of sage-grouse documented in natural-gas fields, and suggest to land managers that current stipulations on development may not provide management solutions. Managing landscapes so that suitably sized and located regions remain undeveloped may be an effective strategy to sustain greater sage-grouse populations affected by energy developments. AuthorsHOLLORAN, MATTHEW J., RUSTY C. KAISER and WAYNE A. HUBERT. Year Published2010 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2193/2008-291 |
| Wildlife habitats in managed rangelands - the Great Basin of southeastern Oregon. Sage grouse. | Call, M.W. | 1985 |
Wildlife habitats in managed rangelands - the Great Basin of southeastern Oregon. Sage grouse.KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractDecreases in sage grouse followed the decrease in sagebrush. Other factors, such as unfavorable weather conditions at hatching time and increased predation, hunting, and disease have each been important at various times in localized areas but are probably not the most important factors in the overall downward trend. AuthorsCall, M.W.; Maser, C. Year Published1985 PublicationU S Forest Service Locations |
| West Nile virus: pending crisis for greater sage-grouse | Naugle, DE | 2004 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, emerging infectious disease, endangered species; greater sage-grouse; mosquito; population decline; survival; vector surveillance; West Nile virus AbstractScientists have feared that emerging infectious diseases could complicate efforts to conserve rare and endangered species, but quantifying impacts has proven difficult until now. We report unexpected impacts of West Nile virus (WNv) on radio-marked greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species that has declined 45-80% and is endangered in Canada and under current consideration for federal listing in the US. We show that WNv reduced late-summer survival an average of 25% in four radio-marked populations in the western US and Canada. Serum from 112 sage-grouse collected after the outbreak show that none had antibodies, suggesting that they lack resistance. The spread of WNv represents a significant new stressor on sage-grouse and probably other at-risk species. While managing habitat might lessen its impact on sage-grouse populations, WNv has left wildlife and public health officials scrambling to address surface water and vector control issues in western North America. AuthorsNaugle, DE; Aldridge, CL; Walker, BL; Cornish, TE; Moynahan, BJ; Holloran, MJ; Brown, K; Johnson, GD; Schmidtmann, ET; Mayer, RT; Kato, CY; Matchett, MR; Christiansen, TJ; Cook, WE; Creekmore, T; Falise, RD; Rinkes, ET; Boyce, MS Year Published2004 PublicationEcology Letters LocationsDOI10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00631.x |
| West Nile virus and sage-grouse: What more have we learned? | Naugle, DE | 2005 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus; emerging infectious disease; monitoring; population decline; sage-grouse; survival; West Nile virus AbstractWest Nile virus (WNv) has emerged as a new issue in the conservation of native avifauna in North America. Mortality associated with WNv infection decreased survival of female greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) by 25% across 4 populations in Wyoming and Montana, USA, and Alberta, Canada, in 2003. In 2004 WNv spread to populations in Colorado and California, and female survival in late summer was 10% lower at 4 sites with confirmed WNv mortalities (86% survival) than at 8 sites without (96%). We still have no evidence that sage-grouse show resistance to the virus. The 2004 WNv season was not the catastrophe that many had predicted, and the decrease in prevalence of infection and mortality in sage-grouse, humans, and horses (except in California) has left many wondering if the worst has past. Evidence suggests that risk of infection was low in 2004 because unseasonably cool summer temperatures delayed or reduced mosquito production. Moreover, mortalities occurred 2-3 weeks later in 2004 than in 2003, and the shift to later timing was consistent between years at sites where WNv reduced survival both years. Mosquito surveillance data indicated a sharp decline in prevalence and infection rate of adult C. tarsalis in southeast Alberta, the most northern latitude where WNv reduced survival, in 2003 but not in 2004. A full understanding of the implications of WNv for sage-grouse requires a long-term, coordinated monitoring strategy among researchers and a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the role of WNv in population viability. Epidemiological research examining the prevalence and ecology of the virus among reservoir hosts is crucial. AuthorsNaugle, DE; Aldridge, CL; Walker, BL; Doherty, KE; Matchett, MR; McIntosh, J; Cornish, TE; Boyce, MS Year Published2005 PublicationWildlife Society Bulletin Locations- Alberta, Canada (49.4, -110.702)
- Phillips County, Montana (48.2, -107.933)
- Central Washington (46.779, -119.486)
- Roundup, Montana (46.4453, -108.541)
- Southern Powder River Basin, Wyoming (44.3442, -106.293)
- Lander, Wyoming (42.8331, -108.73)
- Upper Green River Basin, Wyoming (42.742, -109.869)
- Routt County, Colorado (40.5167, -106.983)
- Moffat County, Colorado. Axial Basin 40 km southwest of Craig, Colorado. (40.2602, -107.881)
- Gunnison County Colorado (38.7, -107.067)
- Mono County, California (37.9167, -118.867)
DOI10.2193/0091-7648(2005)33[616:WNVASW]2.0.CO;2 |
| West Nile Virus and Greater Sage-Grouse: Estimating Infection Rate in a Wild Bird Population | Walker, Brett L. | 2007 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, coal-bed natural gas, energy development, flavivirus, greater sage-grouse, infection rate, sagebrush-steppe, West Nile virus AbstractUnderstanding impacts of disease on wild bird populations requires knowing not only mortality rate following infection, but also the proportion of the population that is infected. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in western North America are known to have a high mortality rate following infection with West Nile virus (WNv), but actual infection rates in wild populations remain unknown. We used rates of WNv-related mortality and seroprevalence from radiomarked females to estimate infection rates in a wild greater sage-grouse population in the Powder River basin (PRB) of Montana and Wyoming from 2003 to 2005. Minimum WNv-related mortality rates ranged from 2.4% to 13.3% among years and maximum possible rates ranged from 8.2% to 28.9%. All live-captured birds in 2003 and 2004 tested seronegative. In spring 2005 and spring 2006, 10.3% and 1.8% respectively, of newly captured females tested seropositive for neutralizing antibodies to WNv. These are the first documented cases of sage-grouse surviving infection with WNv. Low to moderate WNv-related mortality in summer followed by low seroprevalence the following spring in all years indicates that annual infection rates were between 4% and 29%. This suggests that most sage-grouse in the PRB have not yet been exposed and remain susceptible. Impacts of WNv in the PRB in the near future will likely depend more on annual variation in temperature and changes in vector distribution than on the spread of resistance. Until the epizootiology of WNv in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems is better understood, we suggest that management to reduce impacts of WNv focus on eliminating man-made water sources that support breeding mosquitoes known to vector the virus. Our findings also underscore problems with using seroprevalence as a surrogate for infection rate and for identifying competent hosts in highly susceptible species. AuthorsWalker, Brett L.; Naugle, David E.; Doherty, Kevin E.; Cornish, Todd E. Year Published2007 PublicationAvian Diseases LocationsDOI10.1637/0005-2086(2007)51[691:WNVAGS]2.0.CO;2 |
| Weights of Colorado Sage Grouse | BECK, TDI | 1978 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractNo abstract available AuthorsBECK, TDI; BRAUN, CE Year Published1978 PublicationThe Condor: Ornithological Applications LocationsDOI10.2307/1367928 |
| VOLUNTEER COLLECTION STATION USE FOR OBTAINING GROUSE WING SAMPLES | HOFFMAN R W | 1981 |
VOLUNTEER COLLECTION STATION USE FOR OBTAINING GROUSE WING SAMPLESKeywordsNo keywords available AbstractVolunteer wing collection stations were tested in Middle Park, Colorado [USA] during 1975-1979 as an alternative means of inexpensively increasing collected grouse wing samples. Of 3791 blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) and sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) wings collected, 3213 (84.7%) were deposited in wing stations. Less time, manpower and expense were required to operate volunteer wing stations for the entire season than for check stations on opening weekend. Besides the basic population data derived from wing analyses, other important management information obtained included identification of major harvest areas, evaluation of hunter success and assessment of harvest distribution over time. AuthorsHOFFMAN R W Year Published1981 PublicationWildlife Society Bulletin Locations |
| Vocal and anatomical evidence for two-voiced sound production in the greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus | Krakauer, Alan H. | 2009 |
Keywordsacoustic location system Galliformes lek microphone array syrinx syringeal muscle AbstractGreater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, have been a model system in studies of sexual selection and lek evolution. Mate choice in this species depends on acoustic displays during courtship, yet we know little about how males produce these sounds. Here we present evidence for previously undescribed two-voiced sound production in the sage-grouse. We detected this 'double whistle' (DW) using multi-channel audio recordings combined with video recordings of male behavior. Of 28 males examined, all males produced at least one DW during observation; variation in DW production did not correlate with observed male mating success. We examined recordings from six additional populations throughout the species' range and found evidence of DW in all six populations, suggesting that the DW is widespread. To examine the possible mechanism of DW production, we dissected two male and female sage-grouse; the syrinx in both sexes differed noticeably from that of the domestic fowl, and notably had two sound sources where the bronchi join the syrinx. Additionally, we found males possess a region of pliable rings at the base of the trachea, as well as a prominent syringeal muscle that is much reduced or absent in females. Experiments with a live phonating bird will be necessary to determine how the syrinx functions to produce the whistle, and whether the DW might be the result of biphonation of a single sound source. We conclude that undiscovered morphological and behavioral complexity may exist even within well-studied species, and that integrative research approaches may aid in the understanding of this type of complexity. AuthorsKrakauer, Alan H.; Tyrrell, Maura; Lehmann, Kenna; Losin, Neil; Goller, Franz; Patricelli, Gail L. Year Published2009 PublicationJournal of Experimental Biology LocationsDOI10.1242/jeb.033076 |
| Viability and Conservation of an Exploited Sage Grouse Population | Johnson, KH | 1999 |
KeywordsNo keywords available AbstractWe analyzed the viability of the Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population of North Park, Colorado, to evaluate its supposed decline due to hunting pressure and habitat degradation. Demographic data from 23 years of surveys were used to parameterize a post-breeding, female-based projection matrix with three life stages:juveniles, yearlings, and adults The population was found to be approximately stable or in decline only if immigration and apparent surveying errors were factored from the data set. Adult and juvenile survival and adult and juvenile reproduction, respectively, were identified as the most limiting demographic factors. Empirical evidence from designed experiments with Sage Grouse has shown that these demographic factors respond markedly to habitat manipulations, especially brush manipulation. Several plausible management scenarios were evaluated with 100-year population projections generated through Monte Carlo simulation (1000 iterations), sampling from a normal probability distribution entraining the observed variability in each demographic parameter (95% confidence limits). Habitat manipulations to achieve moderate levels (similar to 15% canopy cover) of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) are recommended Regression analyses with power tests showed correspondence between hunting mortality and total mortality for juveniles and adults. Provided that habitat manipulations improve the survival of juveniles and adults, population viability may be conserved without reducing harvest by hunters. AuthorsJohnson, KH; Braun, CE Year Published1999 PublicationConservation Biology LocationsDOI10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.97284.x |
| VEGETATIONAL COVER AND PREDATION OF SAGE GROUSE NESTS IN OREGON | GREGG, MA | 1994 |
KeywordsCentrocercus urophasianus, habitat, nesting, Oregon, predation, reproduction, sage grouse,selection AbstractBecause of long-term declines in sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) abundance and productivity in Oregon, we investigated the relationship between vegetational cover and nesting by sage grouse in 2 study areas. Medium height (40-80 cm) shrub cover was greater (P < 0.001) at nonpredated (xBAR = 41%, n = 18) and predated (xBAR = 29%, n = 106) nests than in areas immediately surrounding nests (xBAR = 15 and 10%, n = 18 and 106, nonpredated and predated, respectively) or random locations (xBAR = 8%, n = 499). Tall (> 18 cm), residual grass cover was greater (P < 0.001) at nonpredated nests (xBAR = 18%) than in areas surrounding nonpredated nests (xBAR = 6%) or random locations (xBAR = 3%). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in grass cover among predated nests, nest areas, and random sites. However, nonpredated nests had greater (P < 0.001) cover of tall, residual grasses (xBAR = 18%) and medium height shrubs (xBAR = 41%) than predated nests (xBAR = 5 and 29% for grasses and shrubs, respectively). Removal of tall grass cover and medium height shrub cover may negatively influence sage grouse productivity. AuthorsGREGG, MA; CRAWFORD, JA; DRUT, MS; DELONG, AK Year Published1994 PublicationJournal of Wildlife Management LocationsDOI10.2307/3809563 |
