Free‐roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage‐grouse DOI Creative Commons
Jeffrey L. Beck, Megan C. Milligan, Kurt T. Smith

et al.

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(8)

Published: Sept. 18, 2024

Abstract Since the passage of Wild Free‐Roaming Horses and Burros Act 1971, federal agencies have been responsible for managing free‐roaming equids in United States. Over last 20 years, management has hampered by direct opposition from advocacy groups, budget limitations, a decline public's willingness to adopt horses ( Equus caballus ). As result, equid numbers increased >3 times targeted goal 26,785 (horses burros [ E . asinus ] combined), cumulative sum appropriate levels (AML) all 177 designated herd areas (HMA) managed Bureau Land Management. This increase is one causes greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus ) population declines, owing habitat alteration exacerbated ongoing drought. To evaluate potential demographic mechanisms influencing these we compiled survival data 4 studies central Wyoming, USA, including 995 adult female (first‐year breeders or older) during breeding season, 1,075 nests, 372 broods, 136 juveniles (i.e., overwinter fledged young), 2008–2022. During this period, also obtained information 9 HMAs used individual grouse our sample. Population estimates ranged 59% 7 maximum level (AML max Sage‐grouse monitored outside represented control populations and, because assumed they were not exposed horses, set values AML zero located HMAs. whether negatively affecting sage‐grouse, modeled daily age females, nest, juveniles. There was strong moderate evidence that overabundant affected brood, juvenile survival. When horse abundance 3 , reduced 8.1%, 18.3%, 18.2%, 18.2% early broods (≤20 days after hatch), late (>20 35 juveniles, respectively. These results indicate increasing vital rates important life stages maintaining below would reduce negative effects populations.

Language: Английский

Effects of Dormant Season and Contemporary Spring-Summer Grazing on Plant Community Composition in the Sagebrush Ecosystem DOI Creative Commons
Vanessa M. Schroeder,

Dustin D. Johnson,

Kirk W. Davies

et al.

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 98, P. 214 - 222

Published: Aug. 23, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Sage-Grouse DOI Creative Commons
Jeffrey L. Beck,

Thomas J. Christiansen,

Kirk W. Davies

et al.

Springer eBooks, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 295 - 338

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Beyond overlap: considering habitat preference and fitness outcomes in the umbrella species concept DOI
Jason D. Carlisle, Kurt T. Smith, Jeffrey L. Beck

et al.

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(2), P. 212 - 225

Published: Sept. 12, 2023

Abstract Umbrella species and other surrogate approaches to conservation provide an appealing framework extend the reach of efforts beyond single species. For umbrella concept be effective, populations multiple concern must persist in areas protected on behalf Most assessments concept, however, focus exclusively geographic overlap among background species, not measures that affect population persistence (e.g. habitat quality or fitness). We quantified congruence between preferences nesting success a high‐profile (greater sage‐grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus , hereafter ‘sage‐grouse’), three sympatric declining songbirds (Brewer's sparrow Spizella breweri sage thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus vesper Pooecetes gramineus ) central Wyoming, USA during 2012–2013. used machine‐learning methods create data‐driven predictions sage‐grouse nest‐site selection nest survival probabilities by modeling field‐collected data relative attributes. then songbird assess whether high‐quality sites for aligned with those sage‐grouse. Nest selected did coincide preferences, exception Brewer's sparrows preferred similar 2012. Moreover, produced higher rates were unrelated Our findings suggest management actions at local scales prioritize will necessarily enhance reproductive sagebrush‐associated songbirds. Measures implemented conserve purported broad spatial likely distribution many broad‐scale may translate fine‐scale benefit itself. The maintenance microhabitat heterogeneity important diversity critical more holistic application concept.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Greater sage‐grouse chick mortality risk relative to livestock grazing management, environmental factors, and morphometric measurements DOI Creative Commons

Lorelle I. Berkeley,

Mark Szczypinski,

Shea P. Coons

et al.

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(5)

Published: May 16, 2024

Abstract Greater sage‐grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ; sage‐grouse) populations in the western United States have declined, necessitating conservation efforts. The Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and livestock producers implemented Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) to improve habitat using regional‐specific management actions such as rotational grazing. We assessed effect SGI grazing management, influence brood female chick morphometric traits, multiple environmental anthropogenic disturbance factors on mortality risk a population central Montana, USA, from 2011–2019. used Kaplan‐Meier survival function evaluate survival, Cox proportional hazards models Andersen‐Gill formulation model assess effects time‐dependent characteristics risk. Survival 45 days post‐hatch for 510 chicks varied annually 0.26 ± 0.07 (SE) 0.69 0.07. 45‐day rate all years combined was 0.51 0.03. Chick not affected by changes through program. Brood age body condition, sex chicks, vegetation, variables were also unassociated with There small protective mass adjusted mean minimum monthly temperature; greater lower temperatures correlated reduced Overall, our study suggests program does confer additional benefits beyond existing practices. Incentivizing practices that adhere fundamental principles rangeland ecology maintain intact rangelands may be more effective than specific prescribed systems this region.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Free‐roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage‐grouse DOI Creative Commons
Jeffrey L. Beck, Megan C. Milligan, Kurt T. Smith

et al.

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 88(8)

Published: Sept. 18, 2024

Abstract Since the passage of Wild Free‐Roaming Horses and Burros Act 1971, federal agencies have been responsible for managing free‐roaming equids in United States. Over last 20 years, management has hampered by direct opposition from advocacy groups, budget limitations, a decline public's willingness to adopt horses ( Equus caballus ). As result, equid numbers increased >3 times targeted goal 26,785 (horses burros [ E . asinus ] combined), cumulative sum appropriate levels (AML) all 177 designated herd areas (HMA) managed Bureau Land Management. This increase is one causes greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus ) population declines, owing habitat alteration exacerbated ongoing drought. To evaluate potential demographic mechanisms influencing these we compiled survival data 4 studies central Wyoming, USA, including 995 adult female (first‐year breeders or older) during breeding season, 1,075 nests, 372 broods, 136 juveniles (i.e., overwinter fledged young), 2008–2022. During this period, also obtained information 9 HMAs used individual grouse our sample. Population estimates ranged 59% 7 maximum level (AML max Sage‐grouse monitored outside represented control populations and, because assumed they were not exposed horses, set values AML zero located HMAs. whether negatively affecting sage‐grouse, modeled daily age females, nest, juveniles. There was strong moderate evidence that overabundant affected brood, juvenile survival. When horse abundance 3 , reduced 8.1%, 18.3%, 18.2%, 18.2% early broods (≤20 days after hatch), late (>20 35 juveniles, respectively. These results indicate increasing vital rates important life stages maintaining below would reduce negative effects populations.

Language: Английский

Citations

0