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Morandini V, Dugger KM, Schmidt AE, Varsani A, Lescroël A, Ballard G, Lyver PO, Barton K, Ainley DG. Sex-specific recruitment rates contribute to male-biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10859. [PMID: 38384831 PMCID: PMC10879839 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex-related differences in vital rates that drive population change reflect the basic life history of a species. However, for visually monomorphic bird species, determining the effect of sex on demographics can be a challenge. In this study, we investigated the effect of sex on apparent survival, recruitment, and breeding propensity in the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), a monochromatic, slightly size dimorphic species with known age, known sex, and known breeding history data collected during 1996-2019 (n = 2127 birds) from three breeding colonies on Ross Island, Antarctica. Using a multistate capture-mark-recapture maximum-likelihood model, we estimated apparent survival (S ^ ), recapture (resighting) probability (p ^ ), and the probability of transitioning among breeding states and moving between colonies (ψ ^ ; colony-specific non-juvenile pre-breeders, breeders, and non-breeders). Survival rate varied by breeding status and colony, but not sex, and pre-breeders had higher survival rates than breeders and non-breeders. Females had a higher probability of recruiting into the breeding population each year and may enter the breeding pool at younger ages. In contrast, both sexes had the same probability of breeding from year to year once they had recruited. Although we detected no direct sex effects on survival, the variation in recruitment probability and age-at-first reproduction, along with lower survival rates of breeders compared to pre-breeders, likely leads to shorter lifespans for females. This is supported by our findings of a male-biased mean adult sex ratio (ASR) of 1.4 males for every female (x ^ proportion of males = 0.57, SD = 0.07) across all colonies and years in this metapopulation. Our study illustrates how important it can be to disentangle sex-related variation in population vital rates, particularly for species with complex life histories and demographic dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Morandini
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and WildlifeOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
- Migres FoundationCIMATarifaSpain
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and WildlifeOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | | | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | | | - Grant Ballard
- Point Blue Conservation SciencePetalumaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Phil O'B. Lyver
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.LincolnNew Zealand
| | - Kerry Barton
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd.LincolnNew Zealand
| | - David G. Ainley
- H.T. Harvey & Associates Ecological ConsultantsLos GatosCaliforniaUSA
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2
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Stevens BS, Conway CJ, Tisdale CA, Denny KN, Meyers A, Makela P. Backpack satellite transmitters reduce survival but not nesting propensity or success of greater sage-grouse. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10820. [PMID: 38111920 PMCID: PMC10726286 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Telemetry technology is ubiquitous for studying the behavior and demography of wildlife, including the use of traditional very high frequency (VHF) radio telemetry and more recent methods that record animal locations using global positioning systems (GPS). Satellite-based GPS telemetry allows researchers to collect high spatial-temporal resolution data remotely but may also come with additional costs. For example, recent studies from the southern Great Basin suggested GPS transmitters attached via backpacks may reduce the survival of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) relative to VHF transmitters attached via collars that have been in use for decades. While some evidence suggests GPS backpacks reduce survival, no studies have examined the effects of GPS backpacks on breeding behavior and success. Therefore, we compared survival, breeding behavior, and nest success of sage-grouse hens marked with both VHF collars and GPS backpack transmitter over a 7-year period in central Idaho, USA. GPS backpacks reduced spring-summer survival of sage-grouse hens relative to hens with VHF collars, where daily mortality probability was 68%-82% higher from March 1 to August 1. Yet satellite GPS backpacks did not consistently affect nest success or the likelihood or timing of nest initiation relative to VHF collars. Daily nest survival varied annually and with timing of nest initiation and nest age, but marginal effects of transmitter type were statistically insignificant and interactions between transmitter type and study year produced no meaningful patterns. Our results corroborate recent studies for the effect of satellite GPS backpacks on sage-grouse survival, but also suggest that these transmitters do not appear to affect components of fecundity. Our results therefore add important context to recent debate surrounding the effects of GPS backpacks on sage-grouse, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of different transmitter types for understanding behavior and population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan S. Stevens
- Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
- Present address:
Pacific Northwest Research StationU.S. Forest ServiceLa GrandeOregonUSA
| | - Courtney J. Conway
- U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | - Cody A. Tisdale
- Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | - Kylie N. Denny
- Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
- Present address:
School of the EnvironmentWashington State UniversityPullmanWashingtonUSA
| | - Andrew Meyers
- Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
- Present address:
Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeThe DallesOregonUSA
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3
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Tyrrell EA, Coates PS, Prochazka BG, Brussee BE, Espinosa SP, Hull JM. Wildfire immediately reduces nest and adult survival of greater sage-grouse. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10970. [PMID: 37414751 PMCID: PMC10326004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32937-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildfire events are becoming more frequent and severe on a global scale. Rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and the presence of pyrophytic invasive grasses are contributing to the degradation of native vegetation communities. Within the Great Basin region of the western U.S., increasing wildfire frequency is transforming the ecosystem toward a higher degree of homogeneity, one dominated by invasive annual grasses and declining landscape productivity. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) are a species of conservation concern that rely on large tracts of structurally and functionally diverse sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities. Using a 12-year (2008-2019) telemetry dataset, we documented immediate impacts of wildfire on demographic rates of a population of sage-grouse that were exposed to two large wildfire events (Virginia Mountains Fire Complex-2016; Long Valley Fire-2017) near the border of California and Nevada. Spatiotemporal heterogeneity in demographic rates were accounted for using a Before-After Control-Impact Paired Series (BACIPS) study design. Results revealed a 40% reduction in adult survival and a 79% reduction in nest survival within areas impacted by wildfires. Our results indicate that wildfire has strong and immediate impacts to two key life stages of a sagebrush indicator species and underscores the importance of fire suppression and immediate restoration following wildfire events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmy A Tyrrell
- Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of California Davis, 2251 Meyer Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Peter S Coates
- Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA.
| | - Brian G Prochazka
- Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Brianne E Brussee
- Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Shawn P Espinosa
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, 6980 Sierra Center Parkway, Reno, NV, 89511, USA
| | - Joshua M Hull
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of California Davis, 2251 Meyer Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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4
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Yang N, Price M, Xu Y, Zhu Y, Zhong X, Cheng Y, Wang B. Assessing Global Efforts in the Selection of Vertebrates as Umbrella Species for Conservation. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:509. [PMID: 37106710 PMCID: PMC10135637 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The umbrella-species strategy has been proposed as an attainable tool to achieve multi-species and community conservation with limited investment. There have been many umbrella-related studies since the concept's inception; thus, a summary of global study efforts and recommended umbrella species is important for understanding advances in the field and facilitating conservation applications. Here, we collated 213 recommended umbrella species of terrestrial vertebrates from 242 scientific articles published during 1984-2021 and analyzed their geographic patterns, biological features, and conservation statuses to identify global trends in the selection of umbrella species. We found a considerable geographic bias: most studies and, consequently, recommended umbrella species are from the Northern Hemisphere. There is also a strong taxonomic bias, with grouses (order Galliformes) and large carnivores being the most popular umbrella species and amphibians and reptiles being largely overlooked. In addition, wide-ranging and non-threatened species were frequently recommended as umbrella species. Given the observed biases and trends, we caution that appropriate species need to be chosen for each location, and it is important to confirm that popular, wide-ranging species are effective umbrella species. Moreover, amphibians and reptiles should be investigated for their potential as umbrella species. The umbrella-species strategy has many strengths and, if applied appropriately, may be one of the best options in today's conservation research and funding landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yang
- Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China;
| | - Megan Price
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
| | - Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China; (Y.X.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China; (Y.X.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xue Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China;
| | - Yuehong Cheng
- Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau, Wenchuan 623006, China;
| | - Bin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China;
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5
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O'Donnell MS, Edmunds DR, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Monroe AP, Coates PS, Prochazka BG, Hanser SE, Wiechman LA. Defining biologically relevant and hierarchically nested population units to inform wildlife management. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9565. [PMID: 36466138 PMCID: PMC9712811 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife populations are increasingly affected by natural and anthropogenic changes that negatively alter biotic and abiotic processes at multiple spatiotemporal scales and therefore require increased wildlife management and conservation efforts. However, wildlife management boundaries frequently lack biological context and mechanisms to assess demographic data across the multiple spatiotemporal scales influencing populations. To address these limitations, we developed a novel approach to define biologically relevant subpopulations of hierarchically nested population levels that could facilitate managing and conserving wildlife populations and habitats. Our approach relied on the Spatial "K"luster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal clustering algorithm, which we applied in an agglomerative manner (bottom-to-top). We modified the clustering algorithm using a workflow and population structure tiers from least-cost paths, which captured biological inferences of habitat conditions (functional connectivity), dispersal capabilities (potential connectivity), genetic information, and functional processes affecting movements. The approach uniquely included context of habitat resources (biotic and abiotic) summarized at multiple spatial scales surrounding locations with breeding site fidelity and constraint-based rules (number of sites grouped and population structure tiers). We applied our approach to greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of conservation concern, across their range within the western United States. This case study produced 13 hierarchically nested population levels (akin to cluster levels, each representing a collection of subpopulations of an increasing number of breeding sites). These closely approximated population closure at finer ecological scales (smaller subpopulation extents with fewer breeding sites; cluster levels ≥2), where >92% of individual sage-grouse's time occurred within their home cluster. With available population monitoring data, our approaches can support the investigation of factors affecting population dynamics at multiple scales and assist managers with making informed, targeted, and cost-effective decisions within an adaptive management framework. Importantly, our approach provides the flexibility of including species-relevant context, thereby supporting other wildlife characterized by site fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David R. Edmunds
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | | | - Julie A. Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science CenterColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Adrian P. Monroe
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological SurveyWestern Ecological Research CenterDixonCaliforniaUSA
| | - Brian G. Prochazka
- U.S. Geological SurveyWestern Ecological Research CenterDixonCaliforniaUSA
| | - Steve E. Hanser
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Lief A. Wiechman
- U.S. Geological SurveyEcosystems Mission AreaFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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6
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Proett M, Roberts SB, Messmer TA. Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse brood success and chick survival in a wind‐energy landscape. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matt Proett
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 4279 Commerce Circle Idaho Falls ID 83401 USA
| | - Shane B. Roberts
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 600 S Walnut Boise ID 83712 USA
| | - Terry A. Messmer
- Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
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7
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O'Donnell MS, Edmunds DR, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Monroe AP, Coates PS, Prochazka BG, Hanser SE, Wiechman LA. Defining fine‐scaled population structure among continuously distributed populations. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David R. Edmunds
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Cameron L. Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Julie A. Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Adrian P. Monroe
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station Dixon California USA
| | - Brian G. Prochazka
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station Dixon California USA
| | - Steve E. Hanser
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Lief A. Wiechman
- U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area Fort Collins Colorado USA
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8
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Cade BS, Edmunds DR, Ouren DS. Quantile regression estimates of animal population trends. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian S. Cade
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - David R. Edmunds
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Douglas S. Ouren
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
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9
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Street PA, Riecke TV, Williams PJ, Behnke TL, Sedinger JS. Estimating survival and adoption rates of dependent juveniles. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9005. [PMID: 35784036 PMCID: PMC9203589 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Population growth and fitness are typically most sensitive to adult survival in long‐lived species, but variation in recruitment often explains most of the variation in fitness, as past selection has canalized adult survival. Estimating juvenile survival until age of independence has proven challenging, because marking individuals in this age class may directly affect survival. For Greater Sage‐grouse, uniquely marking juveniles in the first days of life likely results in adverse effects to survival, detection of juveniles is not perfect, and females adopt juveniles from other parents. These challenges are encountered by researchers studying avian and mammalian species with similar life histories, yet methods do not exist that explicitly estimate all these components of the recruitment process. We propose a novel data collection method and demographic model to simultaneously estimate rates of detection, survival, and adoption of juvenile individuals. Using multiple cameras to film the beginning of juvenile activity on specific days, we obtained counts of juveniles associated with marked females. Increases of juveniles to broods provided information that enabled us to estimate rates of adoption that can be applied at the population level. Losses from broods informed apparent survival. These losses could be attributed to death, or they could be chicks that were adopted by other females. We found evidence that apparent survival of juveniles was influenced by localized weather patterns when chicks were young. Similarly, we found that young chicks were more susceptible to the adverse effect of attending females being flushed by an observer. Both of these patterns diminished quickly as chicks aged. We provide the first‐ever estimates of interval‐specific adoption rates. Our results suggest that researchers should be cautious when designing studies to estimate juvenile survival. More importantly, they provide insight into adoption, a behavior that has been known to exist for decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A. Street
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada Reno Reno Nevada USA
| | | | - Perry J. Williams
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada Reno Reno Nevada USA
| | - Tessa L. Behnke
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology University of Nevada Reno Reno Nevada USA
| | - James S. Sedinger
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science University of Nevada Reno Reno Nevada USA
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10
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Divergent physiological acclimation responses to warming between two co-occurring salamander species and implications for terrestrial survival. J Therm Biol 2022; 106:103228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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11
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Apa AD, Gammonley JH, Neubaum DJ, Phillips E, Runge JP, Seward N, Wait S, Weinmeister B. Survival rates of translocated Gunnison sage‐grouse. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D. Apa
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 711 Independent Avenue Grand Junction CO 81505 USA
| | - James H. Gammonley
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 317 Prospect Avenue Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Daniel J. Neubaum
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 711 Independent Avenue Grand Junction CO 81505 USA
| | - Evan Phillips
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 2300 South Townsend Avenue Montrose CO 81401 USA
| | - Jonathan P. Runge
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 317 Prospect Avenue Fort Collins CO 80526 USA
| | - Nathan Seward
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 300 West New York Avenue Gunnison CO 81230 USA
| | - Scott Wait
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 415 Turner Drive Durango CO 81303 USA
| | - Brad Weinmeister
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife 151 East 16th Street Durango CO 81301 USA
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12
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Anthony CR, Foster LJ, Hagen CA, Dugger KM. Acute and lagged fitness consequences for a sagebrush obligate in a post mega-wildfire landscape. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8488. [PMID: 35127022 PMCID: PMC8794719 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Species responses to disturbance influence their extinction risks. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are bioindicators of sagebrush ecosystem health and the loss of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) due to wildfire, can cause long-term declines in sage-grouse populations and other sagebrush obligate species. We examined the demographic response of a greater sage-grouse population following a mega-wildfire using stochastic age-structured female-based matrix models over 6 years (2013-2018). Notably, chick survival (range = 0.18-0.38) and female survival (yearling range: 0.20-0.68; adult range: 0.27-0.75) were low compared to values reported for greater sage-grouse in other parts of their distribution. Greater sage-grouse displayed variation in demographic tactics after the fire; however, adult female survival explained most of the variation in λ during each year, which reflected a declining population in 3 of 6 years with more uncertainty observed in 2015 when populations may have been increasing, and 2017 and 2018, when populations may have been declining. The continued annual population decline observed since 2016 suggested there were additional strong environmental impacts that may have been compounded by the fire effects, prolonging recovery of greater sage-grouse. Our results support others that reported negative effects to greater sage-grouse demographics from broad-scale fire and provide a baseline for understanding how this species responds to loss of sagebrush cover based on their life history strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Anthony
- U.S. Geological SurveyOregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Lee J. Foster
- Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeHinesOregonUSA
| | - Christian A. Hagen
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- U.S. Geological SurveyOregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation SciencesOregon State UniversityCorvallisOregonUSA
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13
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Messerman AF, Leal M. The contributions of individual traits to survival among terrestrial juvenile pond‐breeding salamanders. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arianne F. Messerman
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia MO USA
- Department of Biology University of Miami Coral Gables FL USA
| | - Manuel Leal
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia MO USA
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14
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Parlato EH, Ewen JG, McCready M, Gordon F, Parker KA, Armstrong DP. Incorporating data‐based estimates of temporal variation into projections for newly monitored populations. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. H. Parlato
- Wildlife Ecology Group Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
| | - J. G. Ewen
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London London UK
| | - M. McCready
- Hihi Conservation Charitable Trust Rotorua New Zealand
| | - F. Gordon
- Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust Taranaki New Zealand
| | | | - D. P. Armstrong
- Wildlife Ecology Group Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
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15
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James TD, Salguero-Gómez R, Jones OR, Childs DZ, Beckerman AP. Bridging gaps in demographic analysis with phylogenetic imputation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2021; 35:1210-1221. [PMID: 33068013 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phylogenetically informed imputation methods have rarely been applied to estimate missing values in demographic data but may be a powerful tool for reconstructing vital rates of survival, maturation, and fecundity for species of conservation concern. Imputed vital rates could be used to parameterize demographic models to explore how populations respond when vital rates are perturbed. We used standardized vital rate estimates for 50 bird species to assess the use of phylogenetic imputation to fill gaps in demographic data. We calculated imputation accuracy for vital rates of focal species excluded from the data set either singly or in combination and with and without phylogeny, body mass, and life-history trait data. We used imputed vital rates to calculate demographic metrics, including generation time, to validate the use of imputation in demographic analyses. Covariance among vital rates and other trait data provided a strong basis to guide imputation of missing vital rates in birds, even in the absence of phylogenetic information. Mean NRMSE for null and phylogenetic models differed by <0.01 except when no vital rates were available or for vital rates with high phylogenetic signal (Pagel's λ > 0.8). In these cases, including body mass and life-history trait data compensated for lack of phylogenetic information: mean normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) for null and phylogenetic models differed by <0.01 for adult survival and <0.04 for maturation rate. Estimates of demographic metrics were sensitive to the accuracy of imputed vital rates. For example, mean error in generation time doubled in response to inaccurate estimates of maturation time. Accurate demographic data and metrics, such as generation time, are needed to inform conservation planning processes, for example through International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessments and population viability analysis. Imputed vital rates could be useful in this context but, as for any estimated model parameters, awareness of the sensitivities of demographic model outputs to the imputed vital rates is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamora D James
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Roberto Salguero-Gómez
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Zoology Research and Administration Building, 11a Mansfield Rd, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, U.K
| | - Owen R Jones
- Interdisciplinary Centre on Population Dynamics (CPop), Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dylan Z Childs
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Andrew P Beckerman
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, U.K
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16
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Valli AT, Chondrogiannis C, Grammatikopoulos G, Iatrou G, Trigas P. Conservation of Micromeria browiczii (Lamiaceae), Endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece). PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10040778. [PMID: 33921110 PMCID: PMC8071367 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The massive decline in biodiversity due to anthropogenic threats has led to the emergence of conservation as one of the central goals in modern biology. Conservation strategies are urgently needed for addressing the ongoing loss of plant diversity. The Mediterranean basin, and especially the Mediterranean islands, host numerous rare and threatened plants in need of urgent conservation actions. In this study, we assess the current conservation status of Micromeria browiczii, a local endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece), and estimate its future risk of extinction by compiling and assessing scientific information on geographical distribution, population dynamics and reproductive biology. The population size and the geographical distribution of the species were monitored for five years. The current population of the species consists of 15 subpopulations. Considerable annual fluctuation of population size was detected. The species is assessed as Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature threat categories. According to population viability analysis results, its extinction risk was estimated to be 5.6% over the next 50 years, when six of the fifteen subpopulations (40%) might become extinct. The investigation of certain aspects of the species’ biology yielded important data necessary to identify critical aspects for its survival and to propose conservation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Thalassini Valli
- Laboratory of Systematic Botany, Department of Crop Science, School of Plant Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +306986850009
| | - Christos Chondrogiannis
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26504 Patras, Greece; (C.C.); (G.G.)
| | - George Grammatikopoulos
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26504 Patras, Greece; (C.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Gregoris Iatrou
- Laboratory of Botany, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Rio, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | - Panayiotis Trigas
- Laboratory of Systematic Botany, Department of Crop Science, School of Plant Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece;
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17
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Stoner DC, Messmer TA, Larsen RT, Frey SN, Kohl MT, Thacker ET, Dahlgren DK. Using satellite-derived estimates of plant phenological rhythms to predict sage-grouse nesting chronology. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:11169-11182. [PMID: 33144957 PMCID: PMC7593141 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The "green wave" hypothesis posits that during spring consumers track spatial gradients in emergent vegetation and associated foraging opportunities. This idea has largely been invoked to explain animal migration patterns, yet the general phenomenon underlies trends in vertebrate reproductive chronology as well. We evaluated the utility of this hypothesis for predicting spatial variation in nest initiation of greater sage-grouse (Centrocerus urophasianus), a species of conservation concern in western North America. We used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to map the green wave across elevation and then compiled dates and locations of >450 sage-grouse nests from 20 study sites (2000-2014) to model nest initiation as a function of the start of the growing season (SOS), defined here as the maximum daily rate of increase in NDVI. Individual sites were drawn from three ecoregions, distributed over 4.5° latitude, and spanning 2,300 m in elevation, which captured the climatic, edaphic, and floristic diversity of sagebrush ecosystems in the southern half of current sage-grouse range. As predicted, SOS displayed a significant, positive relationship with elevation, occurring 1.3 days later for each 100 m increase in elevation. In turn, sage-grouse nest initiation followed SOS by 22 ± 10 days (r2 = .57), with hatch dates falling on or just prior to the peak of the growing season. By timing nesting to the green wave, sage-grouse chicks hatched when the abundance of protein-rich invertebrate biomass is hypothesized to be nearing a seasonal high. This adaptation likely represents a strategy for maximizing reproductive success in the arid, variable environments that define sagebrush ecosystems. Given projected changes in climate and land use, these results can be used to predict periods of relative sensitivity to habitat disturbance for sage-grouse. Moreover, the near real-time availability of satellite imagery offers a heretofore underutilized means of mapping the green wave, planning habitat restoration, and monitoring range conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Stoner
- Department of Wildland ResourcesUtah State UniversityLoganUTUSA
| | | | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUTUSA
| | | | - Michel T. Kohl
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
| | - Eric T. Thacker
- Department of Wildland ResourcesUtah State UniversityLoganUTUSA
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18
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Smith JT, Allred BW, Boyd CS, Carlson JC, Davies KW, Hagen CA, Naugle DE, Olsen AC, Tack JD. Are Sage‐Grouse Fine‐Scale Specialists or Shrub‐Steppe Generalists? J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T. Smith
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Brady W. Allred
- College of Forestry and ConservationUniversity of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Chad S. Boyd
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research ServiceEastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Burns OR 97720 USA
| | - John C. Carlson
- U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management Billings MT 59101 USA
| | - Kirk W. Davies
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research ServiceEastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Burns OR 97720 USA
| | - Christian A. Hagen
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeOregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - David E. Naugle
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of Montana Missoula MT 59812 USA
| | - Andrew C. Olsen
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeOregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Jason D. Tack
- U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife ServiceHabitat and Population Evaluation Team Missoula MT 59812 USA
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19
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Messerman AF, Semlitsch RD, Leal M. Estimating Survival for Elusive Juvenile Pond‐Breeding Salamanders. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manuel Leal
- University of Missouri 612 Hitt Street, 209 Tucker Hall Columbia MO 65211 USA
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20
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Foster LJ, Dugger KM, Hagen CA, Budeau DA. Potential effects of GPS transmitters on greater sage-grouse survival in a post-fire landscape. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee J. Foster
- L. J. Foster and C. A. Hagen, Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon Stat
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- K. M. Dugger, U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Dept of Fi
| | - Christian A. Hagen
- L. J. Foster and C. A. Hagen, Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon Stat
| | - David A. Budeau
- D. A. Budeau, Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife, Salem, OR, USA
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21
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Ludwig SC, Aebischer NJ, Bubb D, Roos S, Baines D. Survival of chicks and adults explains variation in population growth in a recovering red grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica population. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C. Ludwig
- S. C. Ludwig (http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3209-0568) , D. Baines, Game and Wildl
| | - Nicholas J. Aebischer
- N. J. Aebischer, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, UK
| | - Damian Bubb
- S. C. Ludwig (http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3209-0568) , D. Baines, Game and Wildl
| | - Staffan Roos
- S. Roos, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Baines
- S. C. Ludwig (http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3209-0568) , D. Baines, Game and Wildl
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22
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Foster LJ, Dugger KM, Hagen CA, Budeau DA. Greater sage-grouse vital rates after wildfire. J Wildl Manage 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee J. Foster
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Oregon State University; 104 Nash Hall Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Katie M. Dugger
- U.S. Geological Survey; Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Oregon State University; 104 Nash Hall Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Christian A. Hagen
- Oregon State University; Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; 104 Nash Hall Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - David A. Budeau
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive Salem OR 97302 USA
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23
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Smith KT, Beck JL, Kirol CP. Reproductive state leads to intraspecific habitat partitioning and survival differences in greater sage-grouse: implications for conservation. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Inter- and intraspecific habitat partitioning is widespread across taxa, yet limited information is available on differences in intraspecific habitat selection by same-sex individuals among differing reproductive states. Understanding habitat selection by conspecifics of different reproductive states may help optimise conservation efforts, particularly for gallinaceous bird species such as greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which are long-lived but have only moderate reproductive rates.
Aims
We predicted that habitat use differed between grouse under different reproductive states and that reproductive investment decreased survival of adults in summer.
Methods
We compared habitat characteristics used by brood-rearing and broodless female sage-grouse and evaluated the influence of reproductive investment and habitat use on survival of adult females.
Key results
We found that brood-rearing and broodless female sage-grouse partitioned habitat at micro- and macrohabitat scales. Broodless females were more likely to survive the summer.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest reproductive state variability in habitat selection by female sage-grouse. Broodless females were roosting and foraging in concealed habitats with intermediate visual obstruction and annual vegetation productivity, but less food forb availability compared with early and late brood-rearing females. In contrast, brood-rearing females likely selected more herbaceous understoreys to predictably maximise foraging opportunities and promote growth of their chicks, which appeared to mitigate the influence of reproductive costs on summer survival, particularly during the late brood-rearing period.
Implications
Survival of adult females is critical for population persistence of sage-grouse and other long-lived Galliformes, yet conservation efforts generally focus on habitats used during nesting and brood-rearing. Our results suggest that habitat partitioning is a potential risk-aversion strategy where individuals across different reproductive states likely select habitats to maximise their survival. Conservation efforts should focus on conserving habitats used by both brood-rearing and broodless sage-grouse to ensure population persistence.
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24
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Hagen CA, Sedinger JE, Braun CE. Estimating sex-ratio, survival, and harvest susceptibility in greater sage-grouse: making the most of hunter harvests. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Hagen
- C. A. Hagen , Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - James E. Sedinger
- J. E. Sedinger, Dept of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Univ. of Nevada-Reno, NV, USA
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25
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Edmunds DR, Aldridge CL, O'Donnell MS, Monroe AP. Greater sage‐grouse population trends across Wyoming. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David R. Edmunds
- Natural Resource Ecology LaboratoryColorado State University, in Cooperation With the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center2150 Centre Avenue, Building CFort CollinsCO 80526USA
| | - Cameron L. Aldridge
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory and Department of Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityColorado State University, in Cooperation With the U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building CFort CollinsCO 80526USA
| | - Michael S. O'Donnell
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building CFort CollinsCO 80526USA
| | - Adrian P. Monroe
- Natural Resource Ecology LaboratoryColorado State University, in Cooperation With the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center2150 Centre Avenue, Building CFort CollinsCO 80526USA
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26
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Smith JT, Tack JD, Berkeley LI, Szczypinski M, Naugle DE. Effects of rotational grazing management on nesting greater sage‐grouse. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T. Smith
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of Montana32 Campus DriveMissoulaMT59812USA
| | - Jason D. Tack
- Habitat and Population Evaluation TeamU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service32 Campus DriveMissoulaMT59812USA
| | | | | | - David E. Naugle
- Wildlife Biology ProgramUniversity of Montana32 Campus DriveMissoulaMT59812USA
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27
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Kane K, Sedinger JS, Gibson D, Blomberg E, Atamian M. Fitness landscapes and life-table response experiments predict the importance of local areas to population dynamics. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Kane
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science; University of Nevada Reno; Reno Nevada 89557 USA
| | - James S. Sedinger
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science; University of Nevada Reno; Reno Nevada 89557 USA
| | - Daniel Gibson
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Blacksburg Virginia 24061 USA
| | - Erik Blomberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology; University of Maine; Orono Maine 04469 USA
| | - Michael Atamian
- Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife; Spokane Valley Washington 99216 USA
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28
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Duvuvuei OV, Gruber-Hadden NW, Messmer TA, Guttery MR, Maxfield BD. Contribution of translocated greater sage-grouse to population vital rates. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Orrin V. Duvuvuei
- Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Natasha W. Gruber-Hadden
- Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Terry A. Messmer
- Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Michael R. Guttery
- Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
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29
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Caudill D, Guttery MR, Terhune TM, Martin JA, Caudill G, Dahlgren DK, Messmer TA. Individual heterogeneity and effects of harvest on greater sage-grouse populations. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Danny Caudill
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | - Michael R. Guttery
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | - Theron M. Terhune
- Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy; Tallahassee FL 32312 USA
| | - James A. Martin
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Savannah River Ecology Lab; University of Georgia; Athens GA 30605 USA
| | - Gretchen Caudill
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Gainesville FL 32601 USA
| | - David K. Dahlgren
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | - Terry A. Messmer
- Jack H. Berryman Institute, Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
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30
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Severson JP, Hagen CA, Tack JD, Maestas JD, Naugle DE, Forbes JT, Reese KP. Better living through conifer removal: A demographic analysis of sage-grouse vital rates. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174347. [PMID: 28333995 PMCID: PMC5363946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) obligate wildlife species such as the imperiled greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) face numerous threats including altered ecosystem processes that have led to conifer expansion into shrub-steppe. Conifer removal is accelerating despite a lack of empirical evidence on grouse population response. Using a before-after-control-impact design at the landscape scale, we evaluated effects of conifer removal on two important demographic parameters, annual survival of females and nest survival, by monitoring 219 female sage-grouse and 225 nests in the northern Great Basin from 2010 to 2014. Estimates from the best treatment models showed positive trends in the treatment area relative to the control area resulting in an increase of 6.6% annual female survival and 18.8% nest survival relative to the control area by 2014. Using stochastic simulations of our estimates and published demographics, we estimated a 25% increase in the population growth rate in the treatment area relative to the control area. This is the first study to link sage-grouse demographics with conifer removal and supports recommendations to actively manage conifer expansion for sage-grouse conservation. Sage-grouse have become a primary catalyst for conservation funding to address conifer expansion in the West, and these findings have important implications for other ecosystem services being generated on the wings of species conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P. Severson
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Christian A. Hagen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Bend, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jason D. Tack
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Jeremy D. Maestas
- United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Redmond, Oregon, United States of America
| | - David E. Naugle
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - James T. Forbes
- Lakeview District, Bureau of Land Management, Lakeview, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Kerry P. Reese
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
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31
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Smith KT, Beck JL, Pratt AC. Does Wyoming's Core Area Policy Protect Winter Habitats for Greater Sage-Grouse? ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 58:585-596. [PMID: 27515024 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0745-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Conservation reserves established to protect important habitat for wildlife species are used world-wide as a wildlife conservation measure. Effective reserves must adequately protect year-round habitats to maintain wildlife populations. Wyoming's Sage-Grouse Core Area policy was established to protect breeding habitats for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Protecting only one important seasonal habitat could result in loss or degradation of other important habitats and potential declines in local populations. The purpose of our study was to identify the timing of winter habitat use, the extent which individuals breeding in Core Areas used winter habitats, and develop resource selection functions to assess effectiveness of Core Areas in conserving sage-grouse winter habitats in portions of 5 Core Areas in central and north-central Wyoming during winters 2011-2015. We found that use of winter habitats occured over a longer period than current Core Area winter timing stipulations and a substantial amount of winter habitat outside of Core Areas was used by individuals that bred in Core Areas, particularly in smaller Core Areas. Resource selection functions for each study area indicated that sage-grouse were selecting habitats in response to landscapes dominated by big sagebrush and flatter topography similar to other research on sage-grouse winter habitat selection. The substantial portion of sage-grouse locations and predicted probability of selection during winter outside small Core Areas illustrate that winter requirements for sage-grouse are not adequately met by existing Core Areas. Consequently, further considerations for identifying and managing important winter sage-grouse habitats under Wyoming's Core Area Policy are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt T Smith
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3354, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA.
| | - Jeffrey L Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3354, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Aaron C Pratt
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3354, 1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
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32
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Dahlgren DK, Messmer TA, Crabb BA, Larsen RT, Black TA, Frey SN, Thacker ET, Baxter RJ, Robinson JD. Seasonal movements of greater sage-grouse populations in Utah: Implications for species conservation. WILDLIFE SOC B 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David K. Dahlgren
- Jack H. Berryman Institute; Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Terry A. Messmer
- Jack H. Berryman Institute; Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Benjamin A. Crabb
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences and Monte L. Bean Life Sciences Museum; Brigham Young University; Provo UT 84602 USA
| | | | - S. Nicole Frey
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Eric T. Thacker
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Rick J. Baxter
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences; Brigham Young University; UT 84602 USA
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33
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Gruber-Hadden NW, Messmer TA, Maxfield BD, Koons DN, Guttery MR. Population vital rates of resident and translocated female greater sage-grouse. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.1062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha W. Gruber-Hadden
- Department of Wildland Resources; Jack H. Berryman Institute; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | - Terry A. Messmer
- Department of Wildland Resources; Jack H. Berryman Institute; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
| | | | - David N. Koons
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322-5230 USA
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