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Severson JP, Vosburgh TC, Johnson HE. Effects of vehicle traffic on space use and road crossings of caribou in the Arctic. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2923. [PMID: 37788067 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the effects of industrial development on wildlife is a key objective of managers and conservation practitioners. However, wildlife responses are often only investigated with respect to the footprint of infrastructure, even though human activity can strongly mediate development impacts. In Arctic Alaska, there is substantial interest in expanding energy development, raising concerns about the potential effects on barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti). While caribou generally avoid industrial infrastructure, little is known about the role of human activity in moderating their responses, and whether managing activity levels could minimize development effects. To address this uncertainty, we examined the influence of traffic volume on caribou summer space use and road crossings in the Central Arctic Herd within the Kuparuk and Milne Point oil fields on the North Slope of Alaska. We first modeled spatiotemporal variation in hourly traffic volumes across the road system from traffic counter data using gradient-boosted regression trees. We then used generalized additive models to estimate nonlinear step selection functions and road-crossing probabilities from collared female caribou during the post-calving and insect harassment seasons, when they primarily interact with roads. Step selection analyses revealed that caribou selected areas further from roads (~1-3 km) during the post-calving and mosquito seasons and selected areas with lower traffic volumes during all seasons, with selection probabilities peaking when traffic was <5 vehicles/h. Using road-crossing models, we found that caribou were less likely to cross roads during the insect seasons as traffic increased, but that response dissipated as insect harassment became more severe. Past studies suggested that caribou exhibit behavioral responses when traffic exceeds 15 vehicles/h, but our results demonstrate behavioral responses at much lower traffic levels. Our results illustrate that vehicle activity mediates caribou responses to road infrastructure, information that can be used in future land-use planning to minimize the behavioral responses of caribou to industrial development in sensitive Arctic landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Severson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
| | - Timothy C Vosburgh
- Bureau of Land Management, Arctic District Office, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Heather E Johnson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
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2
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Lloyd JD, Aldridge CL, Allison TD, LeBeau CW, McNew LB, Winder VL. Prairie grouse and wind energy: The state of the science and implications for risk assessment. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1305] [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)
- John D. Lloyd
- Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute 1900 K St NW Washington D.C 20006 USA
| | | | - Taber D. Allison
- Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute 1900 K St NW Washington D.C 20006 USA
| | - Chad W. LeBeau
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. 1610 Reynolds St. Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Lance B. McNew
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences Montana State University 211 Animal Bioscience Building Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - Virginia L. Winder
- Department of Biology Benedictine College 211 Westerman Hall Atchison KS 66002 USA
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3
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Salganek S, Weller TJ, Szewczak JM. Autumn roost-site selection by male hoary bats ( Lasiurus cinereus) in northern California. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Effective conservation and management of a species relies upon understanding its habitat throughout its full annual cycle. For hoary bats, Lasiurus cinereus, their ecology is largely known from summer with the exception that they move long distances during autumn and spring and maintain some level of activity year-round. Autumn is a critically important period for hoary bats as they complete long-distance migrations between summer and winter range and they mate, both of which are energetically expensive. We studied hoary bat roost selection during autumn in a migratory stopover area in redwood habitat in northwestern California. We hypothesized that hoary bats select day roosts during autumn migration that minimize energetic expenditures and improve mating opportunities. We located 24 day roost sites of male hoary bats and evaluated site-level roost selection by comparing roosts with 120 random locations. We used multiple logistic regression to compare remotely sensed habitat features derived from LiDAR and other spatial data. The three most important variables for distinguishing roost from random locations were distance to creek, roads, and meadow. We speculate that selection of roosts in proximity to open spaces and flyways facilitated social behaviors related to mating that are commonly observed in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye Salganek
- Department of Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt , 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, California 95521 , USA
| | - Theodore J Weller
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station , 1700 Bayview Drive, Arcata, California 95521 , USA
| | - Joseph M Szewczak
- Department of Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt , 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, California 95521 , USA
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4
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Walker BL. Resource selection by greater sage‐grouse varies by season and infrastructure type in a Colorado oil and gas field. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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5
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Row JR, Holloran MJ, Fedy BC. Quantifying the temporal stability in seasonal habitat for sage‐grouse using regression and ensemble tree approaches. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R. Row
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada
| | | | - Bradley C. Fedy
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada
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6
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MacNearney D, Nobert B, Finnegan L. Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) avoid wellsite activity during winter. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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7
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Butler AR, Bly KLS, Harris H, Inman RM, Moehrenschlager A, Schwalm D, Jachowski DS. Home range size and resource use by swift foxes in northeastern Montana. J Mammal 2020; 101:684-696. [PMID: 32665740 PMCID: PMC7333881 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Swift foxes (Vulpes velox) are endemic to the Great Plains of North America, but were extirpated from the northern portion of their range by the mid-1900s. Despite several reintroductions to the Northern Great Plains, there remains a ~350 km range gap between the swift fox population along the Montana and Canada border and that in northeastern Wyoming and northwestern South Dakota. A better understanding of what resources swift foxes use along the Montana and Canada border region will assist managers to facilitate connectivity among populations. From 2016 to 2018, we estimated the home range size and evaluated resource use within the home ranges of 22 swift foxes equipped with Global Positioning System tracking collars in northeastern Montana. Swift fox home ranges in our study were some of the largest ever recorded, averaging (± SE) 42.0 km2 ± 4.7. Our results indicate that both environmental and anthropogenic factors influenced resource use. At the population level, resource use increased by 3.3% for every 5.0% increase in percent grasslands. Relative probability of use decreased by 7.9% and 7.4% for every kilometer away from unpaved roads and gas well sites, respectively, and decreased by 3.0% and 11.3% for every one-unit increase in topographic roughness and every 0.05 increase in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), respectively. Our study suggests that, to reestablish connectivity among swift fox populations in Montana, managers should aim to maintain large corridors of contiguous grasslands at a landscape scale, a process that likely will require having to work with multiple property owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Butler
- Prairie Ecology Lab, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Kristy L S Bly
- Northern Great Plains Program, World Wildlife Fund, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | | | | | - Axel Moehrenschlager
- Centre for Conservation Research, Calgary Zoological Society, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Donelle Schwalm
- Department of Biology, University of Maine-Farmington, Farmington, ME, USA
| | - David S Jachowski
- Prairie Ecology Lab, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
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8
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Walker BL, Neubaum MA, Goforth SR, Flenner MM. Quantifying habitat loss and modification from recent expansion of energy infrastructure in an isolated, peripheral greater sage-grouse population. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 255:109819. [PMID: 31756579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
New technologies and increasing energy demand have contributed to rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development in the U.S. in the past two decades. Quantifying the effects of energy infrastructure on land cover and wildlife habitat is essential for informing land-use policy, developing wildlife conservation strategies, and projecting impacts of future development. The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; GrSG) is a species of concern in sagebrush ecosystems of the western U.S. and Canada and the focus of widespread conservation and management efforts. Increasing energy development within GrSG range has prompted the need to quantify and predict impacts of energy infrastructure on their habitat and populations. We mapped the annual distribution, surface type, and activity level of energy and non-energy infrastructure in the Parachute-Piceance-Roan (PPR), a small, peripheral greater sage-grouse population in Colorado with expanding oil and gas development, from 2005 to 2015. During that time, the footprint of energy infrastructure more than doubled to 3,275 ha (+108.6%), including 195 new well pads, 930 ha of new pipelines, and 230 km of new roads. In contrast, non-energy infrastructure decreased to 532 ha (-8.3%). The majority of energy infrastructure present each year (77-84%) was supporting infrastructure (i.e. facilities, roads, pipelines) rather than well pads, with an average of 2.24 ± 0.52 SE ha of supporting infrastructure per ha of well pad. Pipelines comprised 74-80% of reclaimed surface and roads comprised 54-69% of disturbed surface across years. By 2015, anthropogenic infrastructure covered 2.70% of occupied range and 2.93% of GrSG habitat, and energy infrastructure covered 2.50% and 10.79% of two priority habitat management area zones in the PPR. Three land cover classes most affected by energy infrastructure were also those strongly selected by GrSG. Topographic constraints appear to concentrate energy infrastructure in areas with gentler topography that also have the highest GrSG use. Together, these patterns suggest that future energy development will cause substantial additional loss and modification of GrSG habitat in the PPR. Our findings are valuable for assessing surface disturbance caps for land-use management and projections of energy infrastructure effects on wildlife habitat in this and other expanding oil and gas fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett L Walker
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction, CO, 81505, United States.
| | - Melissa A Neubaum
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction, CO, 81505, United States
| | - Suzanne R Goforth
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction, CO, 81505, United States
| | - Michelle M Flenner
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 317 West Prospect Ave., Fort Collins, CO, 80526, United States
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Fleisher KR, Hufford KM. Assessing habitat heterogeneity and vegetation outcomes of geomorphic and traditional linear-slope methods in post-mine reclamation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 255:109854. [PMID: 32063317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Traditional reclamation consists of landform reconstruction characterized by uniform topography and linear slopes. Geomorphic reclamation improves on traditional reclamation by recreating heterogeneous landforms that blend into surrounding landscapes. Environmental heterogeneity created by geomorphic design is expected to increase the number of available ecological niches, and thus increase plant species diversity when compared with traditional reclamation practices. We sampled plant communities at two reclaimed surface mines in Wyoming using line-point intercept transects to compare vegetative diversity, composition, and structure between sites reclaimed using geomorphic and traditional methods. Greater species richness and Simpson's diversity were observed in geomorphic reclamation at the first site, but did not differ significantly at the second site, although geomorphic reclamation was more likely to resemble undisturbed controls. Shrub abundance was up to 10 times greater on geomorphic reclamation compared to traditional reclamation. Neither reclamation method achieved levels of vegetative diversity observed on nearby, undisturbed rangeland. Geomorphic methods have potential benefits for restoration of vegetative diversity and foundation species such as Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis). Our results suggest geomorphic reclamation may improve plant community diversity and wildlife habitat as a practical method for landscape-level restoration in post-mining sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt R Fleisher
- Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA.
| | - Kristina M Hufford
- Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA.
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10
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Londe DW, Fuhlendorf SD, Elmore RD, Davis CA, Rutledge J. Female Greater Prairie‐Chicken response to energy development and rangeland management. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Londe
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - Craig A. Davis
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - Jimmy Rutledge
- El Coyote Ranch P.O. Box 392 Carrizo Springs Texas 78834 USA
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11
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Smith KT, Dinkins JB, Beck JL. Approaches to delineate greater sage‐grouse winter concentration areas. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt T. Smith
- Department of Ecosystem Science and ManagementUniversity of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Jonathan B. Dinkins
- Department of Animal and Rangeland SciencesOregon State University, 112 Withycombe Hall, 2921 SW Campus Way, CorvallisOregon 97331 USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and ManagementUniversity of Wyoming, 1000 E University AvenueLaramie WY 82071 USA
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12
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13
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Londe DW, Fuhlendorf SD, Elmore RD, Davis CA. Landscape heterogeneity influences the response of grassland birds to energy development. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- R. D. Elmore and C. A. Davis, Dept of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, 008C Agriculture Hall, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74074, USA
| | - Craig A. Davis
- R. D. Elmore and C. A. Davis, Dept of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, 008C Agriculture Hall, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK 74074, USA
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14
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Gibson D, Blomberg EJ, Atamian MT, Espinosa SP, Sedinger JS. Effects of power lines on habitat use and demography of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). WILDLIFE MONOGRAPHS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/wmon.1034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gibson
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology; University of Nevada Reno; Mail Stop 186 Reno NV 89557 USA
| | - Erik J. Blomberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology; University of Maine; 5755 Nutting Hall Room 210 Orono ME 04469 USA
| | - Michael T. Atamian
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; 2315 North Discovery Place Spokane Valley WA 99216 USA
| | - Shawn P. Espinosa
- Nevada Department of Wildlife; 6980 Sierra Center Parkway, Suite 120 Reno NV 89511 USA
| | - James S. Sedinger
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology; University of Nevada Reno; Mail Stop 186 Reno NV 89557 USA
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15
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Dinkins JB, Lawson KJ, Smith KT, Beck JL, Kirol CP, Pratt AC, Conover MR, Blomquist FC. Quantifying overlap and fitness consequences of migration strategy with seasonal habitat use and a conservation policy. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B. Dinkins
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Kirstie J. Lawson
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Kurt T. Smith
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Christopher P. Kirol
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Aaron C. Pratt
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Michael R. Conover
- Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan Utah 84322 USA
| | - Frank C. Blomquist
- Bureau of Land Management; Rawlins Field Office Rawlins Wyoming 82301 USA
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16
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LeBeau CW, Johnson GD, Holloran MJ, Beck JL, Nielson RM, Kauffman ME, Rodemaker EJ, McDonald TL. Greater sage-grouse habitat selection, survival, and wind energy infrastructure. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chad W. LeBeau
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 South 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
| | - Gregory D. Johnson
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 415 W. 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne WY 82001 USA
| | | | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Dept 3354, 1000 East University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Ryan M. Nielson
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 415 W. 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne WY 82001 USA
| | - Mandy E. Kauffman
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 South 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
| | - Eli J. Rodemaker
- Wyoming Wildlife Consultants, LLC; P.O. Box 893 Pinedale WY 82941 USA
| | - Trent L. McDonald
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 South 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
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17
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Gamo RS, Beck JL. Effectiveness of Wyoming's Sage-Grouse Core Areas: Influences on Energy Development and Male Lek Attendance. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 59:189-203. [PMID: 27826693 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0789-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations have declined across their range due to human-assisted factors driving large-scale habitat change. In response, the state of Wyoming implemented the Sage-grouse Executive Order protection policy in 2008 as a voluntary regulatory mechanism to minimize anthropogenic disturbance within defined sage-grouse core population areas. Our objectives were to evaluate areas designated as Sage-grouse Executive Order Core Areas on: (1) oil and gas well pad development, and (2) peak male lek attendance in core and non-core sage-grouse populations. We conducted our evaluations at statewide and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies management zone (MZ I and MZ II) scales. We used Analysis of Covariance modeling to evaluate change in well pad development from 1986-2014 and peak male lek attendance from 958 leks with consistent lek counts within increasing (1996-2006) and decreasing (2006-2013) timeframes for Core and non-core sage-grouse populations. Oil and gas well pad development was restricted in Core Areas. Trends in peak male sage-grouse lek attendance were greater in Core Areas compared to non-core areas at the statewide scale and in MZ II, but not in MZ I, during population increase. Trends in peak male lek attendance did not differ statistically between Core and non-core population areas statewide, in MZ I, or MZ II during population decrease. Our results provide support for the effectiveness of Core Areas in maintaining sage-grouse populations in Wyoming, but also indicate the need for increased conservation actions to improve sage-grouse population response in MZ I.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Scott Gamo
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Cheyenne, WY, 82006, USA.
| | - Jeffrey L Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
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Pennington VE, Schlaepfer DR, Beck JL, Bradford JB, Palmquist KA, Lauenroth WK. Sagebrush, Greater Sage-Grouse, and the Occurrence and Importance of Forbs. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2016. [DOI: 10.3398/064.076.0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel R. Schlaepfer
- Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Vorstadt 10, CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - John B. Bradford
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ
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Rice MB, Rossi LG, Apa AD. Seasonal Habitat Use by Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) on a Landscape with Low Density Oil and Gas Development. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165399. [PMID: 27788202 PMCID: PMC5082953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragmentation of the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem has led to concern about a variety of sagebrush obligates including the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Given the increase of energy development within greater sage-grouse habitats, mapping seasonal habitats in pre-development populations is critical. The North Park population in Colorado is one of the largest and most stable in the state and provides a unique case study for investigating resource selection at a relatively low level of energy development compared to other populations both within and outside the state. We used locations from 117 radio-marked female greater sage-grouse in North Park, Colorado to develop seasonal resource selection models. We then added energy development variables to the base models at both a landscape and local scale to determine if energy variables improved the fit of the seasonal models. The base models for breeding and winter resource selection predicted greater use in large expanses of sagebrush whereas the base summer model predicted greater use along the edge of riparian areas. Energy development variables did not improve the winter or the summer models at either scale of analysis, but distance to oil/gas roads slightly improved model fit at both scales in the breeding season, albeit in opposite ways. At the landscape scale, greater sage-grouse were closer to oil/gas roads whereas they were further from oil/gas roads at the local scale during the breeding season. Although we found limited effects from low level energy development in the breeding season, the scale of analysis can influence the interpretation of effects. The lack of strong effects from energy development may be indicative that energy development at current levels are not impacting greater sage-grouse in North Park. Our baseline seasonal resource selection maps can be used for conservation to help identify ways of minimizing the effects of energy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy B. Rice
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Avian Research, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Liza G. Rossi
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Terrestrial Section, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Anthony D. Apa
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Avian Research, Grand Junction, Colorado, United States of America
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20
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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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Sirén APK, Maynard DS, Kilborn JR, Pekins PJ. Efficacy of remote telemetry data loggers for landscape-scale monitoring: A case study of American martens. WILDLIFE SOC B 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexej P. K. Sirén
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment; University of New Hampshire; 114 James Hall, 56 College Road Durham NH 03824 USA
| | - Daniel S. Maynard
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; Yale University; 370 Prospect Street New Haven CT 06511 USA
| | - Jillian R. Kilborn
- New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Region One; 629B Main Street Lancaster NH 03584 USA
| | - Peter J. Pekins
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment; University of New Hampshire; 114 James Hall, 56 College Road Durham NH 03824 USA
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