State of the Sagebrush: Implementing the Sagebrush Conservation Design to Save a Biome

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 97, P. 1 - 11

Published: Oct. 15, 2024

Language: Английский

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Future Direction of Fuels Management in Sagebrush Rangelands

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 86, P. 50 - 63

Published: Dec. 5, 2022

Language: Английский

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Evaluating Spatial Coverage of the Greater Sage-Grouse Umbrella to Conserve Sagebrush-Dependent Species Biodiversity within the Wyoming Basins

Land, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 123 - 123

Published: Jan. 22, 2024

Biodiversity is threatened due to land-use change, overexploitation, pollution, and anthropogenic climate altering ecosystem functioning around the globe. Protecting areas rich in biodiversity often difficult without fully understanding mapping species’ ecological niche requirements. As a result, umbrella species concept applied, whereby conservation of surrogate used indirectly protect that occupy similar communities. One such greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which has been as an conserve other within sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem. Sagebrush-steppe ecosystems United States have experienced drastic loss, fragmentation, degradation remaining habitat, threatening sagebrush-dependent fauna, resulting west-wide efforts habitats, presumably wildlife. We evaluated effectiveness using data-driven spatial occupancy abundance models for seven (obligate or associated) across Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment (WBEA) area (345,300 km2) assessed overlap with predicted occurrence. Predicted habitat from empirical only partially (39–58%) captured habitats identified by occurrence three sagebrush-obligate songbirds 60% hotspots (richness 4–6 species). Sage-grouse priority 59% model-predicted slightly fewer (56%) hotspots. suggest may be effective biome, management actions aiming should directly consider explicit resource requirements taxonomic groups.

Language: Английский

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Cooperative Conservation Actions Improve Sage-Grouse Population Performance Within the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 97, P. 135 - 145

Published: Oct. 15, 2024

Language: Английский

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Individual Variation in Temporal Dynamics of Post-release Habitat Selection

Frontiers in Conservation Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Sept. 30, 2021

Translocated animals undergo a phase of behavioral adjustment after being released in novel environment, initially prioritizing exploration and gradually shifting toward resource exploitation. This transition has been termed post-release modification. Post-release modification may also manifest as changes habitat selection through time, these temporal dynamics differ between individuals. We aimed to evaluate how is reflected its variability across individuals using population translocated female greater sage-grouse case study. Sage-grouse were from Wyoming North Dakota (USA) during the summers 2018–2020. analyzed individual function sagebrush cover, herbaceous slope, distance roads. Herbaceous cover key foraging for summer; thus, we expected shift exploitation temporally-varying cover. For each ( N = 26), tested two competing models: null model with no time-dependence time-dependent performed at level an information-theoretic approach. Time-dependence was supported five individuals, unsupported seven, models indistinguishable based on AIC c remaining fourteen. found association top-ranked reproductive status (brood-rearing or not). showed that emerge some but not others, failing account hinder detection steady-state patterns. These findings demonstrate need consider both when conducting monitoring inform translocation protocols.

Language: Английский

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Synthesizing and analyzing long-term monitoring data: A greater sage-grouse case study

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 63, P. 101327 - 101327

Published: May 25, 2021

Long-term monitoring of natural resources is imperative for increasing the understanding ecosystem processes, services, and how to manage those ecosystems maintain or improve function. Challenges with using these data may occur because methods changed over time, multiple organizations collect differently, monetary fluctuate, affecting many aspects data. Because species respond changes in habitat conditions predator-prey relationships across different spatial scales that span management boundaries, greater efforts collaborating are essential. We demonstrate challenges standardizing sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) long-term range western United States inform population modeling needs identified by Western Association Fish Wildlife Agencies. used automated repeatable via custom open-source software (grsg_lekdb) scientific integrity future assessments within among states. Data standardization included reconciling uses terminology expunging unusable data, resulting removal 26% records due database insertion errors modifications >1 million values correct formatting typing errors. Our approaches maximized inclusion usable could detection probabilities, trends, guidelines. Using databases as an example, we importance quality assurance control measures can usefulness research needs. informatics concluding recommendations support similar endeavors flora fauna programs, whether use existing new programs.

Language: Английский

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Targeting Sagebrush (Artemisia Spp.) Restoration Following Wildfire with Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Nest Selection and Survival Models

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 70(2), P. 288 - 306

Published: June 10, 2022

Unprecedented conservation efforts for sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems across the western United States have been catalyzed by risks from escalated wildfire activity that reduces habitat sagebrush-obligate species such as Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). However, post-fire restoration is challenged spatial variation in ecosystem processes influencing resilience to disturbance and resistance non-native invasive species, temporal lags between slower recovery faster demographic responses of sage-grouse loss important habitat. Decision-support frameworks account these factors can help users strategically apply predicting short long-term ecological benefits actions. Here, we developed a framework targets burned areas actions (e.g., seeding or planting sagebrush) greatest potential positively benefit populations through time. Specifically, estimated following risk annual grass invasion under four scenarios: passive recovery, grazing exclusion, active with seeding, seedling transplants. We then applied predictions integrated nest site selection survival models before wildfire, immediately at 30 50 years post-wildfire based on each scenario measured changes Application this coupled strategic designs aimed developing patches nesting may increase operational fire-impacted ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Spatial scale selection for informing species conservation in a changing landscape

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

Abstract Identifying the relevant spatial scale at which species respond to features in a landscape (scale of effect) is pressing research need as managers work reduce biodiversity loss amid variety environmental challenges. Until recently, researchers often evaluated subset potential scales effect inferred from previous studies other locations, based on different biological responses and variables. These approaches, however, can create uncertainty whether were identified, effects variables accurately estimated. particularly for greater sage‐grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ), sagebrush‐obligate conservation concern requiring large areas intact sagebrush cover Artemisia spp.) habitat. We demonstrate application selection approach that jointly estimates trends population size using counts 584 leks southwestern Wyoming (2003–2019) annual remote sensing product. From this approach, we estimated positive mean with 95% probability occurred within 5.02 km leks. In an average year, found lower levels these could support increasing when populations small, but higher needed sustain growing larger. With standardized monitoring vegetation sensing, be applied identify populations, species, such demography movement.

Language: Английский

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Response of greater sage‐grouse to sagebrush reduction treatments in Wyoming big sagebrush

Wildlife Monographs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 212(1)

Published: June 1, 2023

Abstract Vegetation treatments have been widely implemented in efforts to enhance conditions for wildlife populations. Yet the effectiveness of such often lack rigorous evaluations determine whether these practices are effective targeted species. This is particularly important when manipulating habitats ecosystems that faced with multiple stressors. The sagebrush ( Artemisia spp.) ecosystem has altered extensively over last century leading declines many associated Wyoming big A. tridentata wyomingensis ) most distributed subspecies, providing sagebrush‐obligate and wildlife. Sagebrush treated chemicals, mechanical treatments, prescribed burning increase herbaceous forage species released from competition overstory. Despite studies documenting negative effects control on greater sage‐grouse Centrocercus urophasianus habitat, still proposed as a means improving habitat other sagebrush‐dependent Furthermore, focused vegetation response none rigorously evaluated direct influence sage‐grouse. We initiated 9‐year (2011–2019) experimental study central Wyoming, USA, better understand how respond reduction communities. 2 common demography resource selection. mowing tebuthiuron application winter spring 2014 pre‐ (2011–2013) post‐treatment (2014–2019) responses relative management actions. using demographic behavioral data collected 620 radio‐marked female Our specific objectives were evaluate influenced 1) reproductive success survival; 2) nesting, brood‐rearing, selection; 3) responses; 4) forbs invertebrates. results generally suggested neutral slight avoidance by tebuthiuron. Neither nor nest survival, brood or survival. Selection brood‐rearing sites did not differ before after treatments. Females selected near they implemented; however, strength selection was lower compared pre‐treatment periods, which may be explained invertebrates following Perennial grass cover height varied temporally yet vary systematically between treatment plots. Forb richness annually but relation either type. height, forb cover, within mowed tebuthiuron‐treated areas received 6 years grazing rest no rest. Finally, invertebrate dry mass plots at any Results our add large body evidence communities do positively manipulation Management focus maintenance large, undisturbed tracts will best facilitate persistence populations reliant steppe.

Language: Английский

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Using state-and-transition simulation models to scope post-fire success in restoring greater sage-grouse habitat

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 483, P. 110396 - 110396

Published: June 30, 2023

Language: Английский

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