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Vhay MP, Haukos DA, Sullins DS, Rice MB. Broad-scale changes in lesser prairie-chicken habitat. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304452. [PMID: 38820510 PMCID: PMC11142685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) populations of in the Sand Sagebrush Prairie Ecoregion of southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado, USA, have declined sharply since the mid-1980s. Decreased quality and availability of habitat are believed to be the main drivers of declines. Our objective was to reconstruct broad-scale change in the ecoregion since 1985 as a potential factor in population declines. We assessed temporal change from 1985-2015 in landcover types and calculated landscape metrics using Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection imagery layers. We also documented presence of anthropogenic structures including oil wells and electrical transmission lines. Landcover type composition changed little since 1990 across the Sand Sagebrush Prairie Ecoregion. However, anthropogenic structures (i.e., oil/gas wells, cell towers, wind farms, and transmission lines) notably increased, potentially causing functional habitat loss at a broad scale. Increased anthropogenic structures may have decreased habitat availability as well as the quality of existing habitat for lesser prairie-chickens, possibly contributing to recent population declines throughout the Sand Sagebrush Prairie Ecoregion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan P Vhay
- Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - David A Haukos
- U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Daniel S Sullins
- Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Mindy B Rice
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Gaulke SM, Hohoff T, Rogness BA, Davis MA. Sampling methodology influences habitat suitability modeling for chiropteran species. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10161. [PMID: 37304362 PMCID: PMC10256621 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10161] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Technological advances increase opportunities for novel wildlife survey methods. With increased detection methods, many organizations and agencies are creating habitat suitability models (HSMs) to identify critical habitats and prioritize conservation measures. However, multiple occurrence data types are used independently to create these HSMs with little understanding of how biases inherent to those data might impact HSM efficacy. We sought to understand how different data types can influence HSMs using three bat species (Lasiurus borealis, Lasiurus cinereus, and Perimyotis subflavus). We compared the overlap of models created from passive-only (acoustics), active-only (mist-netting and wind turbine mortalities), and combined occurrences to identify the effect of multiple data types and detection bias. For each species, the active-only models had the highest discriminatory ability to tell occurrence from background points and for two of the three species, active-only models preformed best at maximizing the discrimination between presence and absence values. By comparing the niche overlaps of HSMs between data types, we found a high amount of variation with no species having over 45% overlap between the models. Passive models showed more suitable habitat in agricultural lands, while active models showed higher suitability in forested land, reflecting sampling bias. Overall, our results emphasize the need to carefully consider the influences of detection and survey biases on modeling, especially when combining multiple data types or using single data types to inform management interventions. Biases from sampling, behavior at the time of detection, false positive rates, and species life history intertwine to create striking differences among models. The final model output should consider biases of each detection type, particularly when the goal is to inform management decisions, as one data type may support very different management strategies than another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Gaulke
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Tara Hohoff
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Brittany A. Rogness
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
| | - Mark A. Davis
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinoisUSA
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Roy CL, Chen D. High population prevalence of neonicotinoids in sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie-chickens across an agricultural gradient during spring and fall. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159120. [PMID: 36183773 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159120] [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: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoids have been detected in many species of wild birds; however, few studies have quantified population-level exposure. We examined population-level exposure to 7 neonicotinoids in 2 species that use agricultural areas, sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) and greater prairie-chickens (T. cupido). We sampled fecal pellets at leks in spring and collected livers from hunter-harvested birds in fall along an agricultural gradient throughout their respective ranges in Minnesota, USA. Most sharp-tailed grouse (93 %) and prairie-chicken (80 %) fecal pellets and livers (90 % and 76 %, respectively) had detectable concentrations of ≥1 neonicotinoid, with imidacloprid (IMI) and clothianidin (CLO) most commonly detected. Spring detections of IMI in both species increased with the proportion of a 2-km buffer in cultivation surrounding sampling locations and varied by year. A similar relationship with cultivation was not supported for CLO, which may reflect differences in the availability of seed types treated with IMI and CLO on the soil surface after planting. However, we also detected IMI and CLO from birds sampled in areas of low cultivation. Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie-chickens may select crop fields preferentially to forage, and thus have a higher risk of exposure than would be expected based only on the amount of cultivation. Year was important in models of IMI and CLO in both species and seasons, which likely reflects differences in planting and in the availability of natural foods among years. In contrast, the proportion of surrounding area in cultivation was not supported in models of fall neonicotinoid detections. Fewer crops are planted in the fall in Minnesota and grouse may be exposed through routes other than treated seeds. High detections, even in areas with little cultivation and during seasons with little planting, likely reflect prairie grouse selection of cultivated fields for food, but may also indicate that exposure risk extends beyond sites of application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte L Roy
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, USA.
| | - Da Chen
- Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, 251 Life Science II, Mail Code 6504, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
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Gaulke SM, Cable AB, Hohoff TC, Rogness BA, Davis MA. One model to rule them all: identifying priority bat habitats from multi‐species habitat suitability models. J Wildl Manage 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Gaulke
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign 1816 S Oak Street Champaign IL 61820 USA
| | - Ashleigh B. Cable
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries University of Tennessee Knoxville 2505 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville TN 37996 USA
| | - Tara C. Hohoff
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign 1816 S Oak Street Champaign IL 61820 USA
| | - Brittany A. Rogness
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign 1816 S Oak Street Champaign IL 61820 USA
| | - Mark A. Davis
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign 1816 S Oak Street Champaign IL 61820 USA
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Gehrt JM, Moon DA, Stratton SC, Haukos DA. Role of landscape features in resource selection by female Greater Prairie-chickens within a constrained environment. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Parsons L, Jenks J, Runia T, Gregory A. Comparing Methods of Defining Priority Areas for Greater Sage-Grouse. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.896023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife managers delineate priority areas for species to define critical habitat and to prioritize management efforts. Each method used to identify priority areas involves data that can be unavailable or expensive to obtain. Therefore, it is of interest to compare spatial efficiency between methods used for defining priority areas. We compared priority areas created using different methods and data types. We used resource selection function (RSF) models to predict areas of high use and generated a map depicting ≥ 90% predicted use in three seasons; it was 1,143 km2, encompassed 91% of nests, 68% of summer locations, and 71% of winter locations. We compared the RSF priority area to priority areas developed using two alternative methods: (1) modified conservation buffer, and (2) utilization distribution (UD) models. The modified conservation buffer method was used by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks in 2014 to delineate a priority area by buffering active lek sites by 6.4 km, including connectivity corridors defined via expert opinion, and known high use areas. The priority area generated by the modified conservation buffer method was 3,977 km2, encompassed 95% of nest locations, 92% of spring/summer locations, and 99% of winter locations. Lastly, we developed a priority area using combined UDs from radio-tracking data gathered during spring/summer, and winter and included a lek buffer encompassing 90% of known nest-sites. This priority area was 3,498 km2, encompassed 99% of nests, 98% of spring/summer locations, and 97% of winter locations. The priority area generated by RSF models was the smallest and encompassed the least number of nests and spring/summer and winter locations but was considered the most spatially efficient; it had the most nests, spring/summer locations, and winter locations per 100 km2. The UD and modified conservation buffer methods created priority areas that were similar in size and spatial efficiency. The modified conservation buffer method encompassed >90% of known sage-grouse locations and nests, indicating that in the absence of detailed movement data and more sophisticated modeling, the method can be sufficient in developing an adequate priority area.
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Lautenbach JD, Stephenson JA, Beck JL. Predicting Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Occurrence in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Lautenbach
- University of Wyoming, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Laramie, WY 82701
| | | | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- University of Wyoming, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, Laramie, WY 82701
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Runia TJ, Solem AJ, Niemuth ND, Barnes KW. Spatially Explicit Habitat Models for Prairie Grouse: Implications for Improved Population Monitoring and Targeted Conservation. WILDLIFE SOC B 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Travis J. Runia
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks 895 3rd Street SW Huron SD 57350 USA
| | - Alex J. Solem
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks 895 3rd Street SW Huron SD 57350 USA
| | - Neal D. Niemuth
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team 3425 Miriam Avenue Bismarck ND 58501 USA
| | - Kevin W. Barnes
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prairie Pothole Joint Venture, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team 922 Bootlegger Trail Great Falls MT 59404 USA
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Adkins K, Roy CL, Wright RG, Andersen DE. Simulating Strategic Implementation of the CRP to Increase Greater Prairie‐Chicken Abundance. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kalysta Adkins
- Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Minnesota 1980 Folwell Avenue, 200 Hodson Hall St. Paul MN 55108 USA
| | - Charlotte L. Roy
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 1201 E Highway 2 Grand Rapids MN 55744 USA
| | - Robert G. Wright
- Minnesota Information Technology Services at Department of Natural Resources 5463‐C W Broadway Forest Lake MN 55025 USA
| | - David E. Andersen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit 1980 Folwell Avenue, 200 Hodson Hall St. Paul MN 55108 USA
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Devoe JD, Lowrey B, Proffitt KM, Garrott RA. Restoration Potential of Bighorn Sheep in a Prairie Region. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D. Devoe
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of EcologyMontana State University Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Blake Lowrey
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of EcologyMontana State University Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Kelly M. Proffitt
- Montana Department of FishWildlife and Parks 1400 South 19th Street Bozeman MT 59718 USA
| | - Robert A. Garrott
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of EcologyMontana State University Bozeman MT 59718 USA
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Effects of pyric herbivory on prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus spp) habitat. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234983. [PMID: 32574224 PMCID: PMC7310702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduction and simplification of grasslands has led to the decline of numerous species of grassland fauna, particularly grassland-obligate birds. Prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus spp.) are an example of obligate grassland birds that have declined throughout most of their distribution and are species of conservation concern. Pyric herbivory has been suggested as a land management strategy for enhancing prairie-chicken habitat and stabilizing declining population trends. We assessed differences in vegetation structure created by pyric herbivory compared to fire-only treatments to determine whether pyric herbivory increased habitat heterogeneity for prairie-chickens, spatially or temporally. Our study was performed at four sites in the southern Great Plains, all within the current or historic distribution of either lesser (T. pallidicinctus), greater (T. cupido), or Attwater’s (T. cupido attwateri) prairie-chickens. Key vegetation characteristics of grass cover and vegetation height in pyric herbivory and fire-only treatments were within the recommended range of values for prairie-chickens during their distinct life history stages. However, patches managed via pyric herbivory provided approximately 5% more forb cover than fire-only treatments for almost 30 months post-fire. Additionally, pyric herbivory extended the length of time bare ground was present after fires. Pyric herbivory also reduced vegetation height and biomass, with mean vegetation height in pyric herbivory treatments lagging behind fire-only treatments by approximately 15 months. Canopy cover in fire-only treatments exceeded levels recommended for prairie-chicken young within 12 months post-fire. However, canopy cover in pyric herbivory treatments never exceeded the maximum recommended levels. Overall, it appears that pyric herbivory improves vegetation characteristics reported as critical to prairie-chicken reproduction. Based on our results, we suggest pyric herbivory as a viable management technique to promote prairie-chicken habitat in the southern Great Plains, while still accommodating livestock production.
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Whalen CE, Brown MB, McGee J, Powell LA, Walsh EJ. Wind turbine noise limits propagation of greater prairie‐chicken boom chorus, but does it matter? Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cara E. Whalen
- School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska Lincoln NE USA
| | | | - JoAnn McGee
- Developmental Auditory Physiology Laboratory Boys Town National Research Hospital Omaha NE USA
| | - Larkin A. Powell
- School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska Lincoln NE USA
| | - Edward J. Walsh
- Developmental Auditory Physiology Laboratory Boys Town National Research Hospital Omaha NE USA
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Biasotto LD, Barcelos-Silveira A, Agne CEQ, Kindel A. Comportamento de voo de aves em resposta ao uso de sinalizadores em linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica. IHERINGIA. SERIE ZOOLOGIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4766e2017047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
RESUMO Como consequência da ampliação do setor energético e da instalação de novas linhas de transmissão de energia (LTs), as aves estão expostas a um risco crescente de mortalidade direta em virtude da colisão com essas estruturas. Com o propósito de minimizar as colisões, sinalizadores de avifauna são instalados nos cabos para-raios das LTs. Buscamos testar a eficiência dos sinalizadores por meio de observações da alteração no comportamento de voo de aves avaliado em nível de famílias taxonômicas. Consideramos duas variáveis de exposição ao risco de colisão - posição do voo de transposição da linha e distância perpendicular em relação aos cabos - observadas em vãos sinalizados e não sinalizados de uma LT localizada no litoral norte do Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil. Realizamos o teste Qui- Quadrado (α = 0,05) para as duas variáveis de risco e para cada família em separado. Das famílias analisadas (n = 13), somente uma (Hirundinidae) apresentou alteração do comportamento de voo na presença dos sinalizadores. Apesar da sinalização dos cabos ser indicada como a medida mais apropriada para a mitigação dessas fatalidades, nossos resultados não revelaram isso quando avaliados em nível de família. No entanto, antes de abandonar essa estratégia de mitigação, nós discutimos a necessidade da aplicação de meta-análises para verificar a efetividade desses dispositivos nas TLs instaladas no Brasil, assim como a necessidade de aperfeiçoamento nos desenhos amostrais dos estudos de monitoramentos dessas infraestruturas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carlos Eduardo Q. Agne
- Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos, Brazil; Centro de Ensino Superior Riograndense, Brasil
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Winder VL, McNew LB, Pitman JC, Sandercock BK. Effects of rangeland management on survival of female greater prairie-chickens. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lance B. McNew
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences; Montana State University; Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - James C. Pitman
- Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism; Emporia KS 66801 USA
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