2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
9/26/2018 | 8:50 AM - 9:05 AM | Habitat Selection by Dusky Grouse in Southern Interior British Columbia | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium
Habitat Selection by Dusky Grouse in Southern Interior British Columbia
The dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is the largest forest grouse species in North America, yet knowledge about their habitat requirements for nesting and brood-rearing is lacking. We assessed microhabitat selection, use of grasslands and forests, and the effects of biosolids amendments on habitat selection of dusky grouse. We radio-collared hens on an 8000-ha cattle ranch in central British Columbia. Vegetation sampling was conducted at nest and brood sites to assess which variables are important for site selection. Broad-scale habitat selection was assessed by measuring the proportion of habitat types used by hens and the distances traveled into grasslands. We found dusky grouse are habitat generalists, using grasslands and forests, regardless of biosolids. Between May – July, 39% of hen locations were in grasslands, and hens were found further into biosolids-amended grasslands. We found 32 nest sites, with most located under shrubs (n = 13) or in bunches of grass (n = 9). Other nest sites included rock overhangs, slash pile remnants, and the base of trees. Visual cover was the most important habitat variable for nest site selection and nest success, with nests in higher cover faring better. There were drastic differences in the use of grasslands between years, and we believe food abundance and weather were likely causes. Our research suggests that habitat choice for dusky grouse is likely a factor of non-vegetative variables, such as insect abundance and the desiccation of vegetation. Biosolids may be beneficial to dusky grouse by enhancing plant growth and supporting higher grasshopper densities.
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Presenters/Authors
Kirstie Lawson
(), kirstie.lawson09@gmail.com;
Biology Department
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Karen Hodges
(), University of British Columbia Okanagan, karen.hodges@ubc.ca;
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Frank Doyle
(), Wildlife Dynamics Consulting, wildlifedynamics@gmail.com;
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