2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
9/25/2018 | 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM | Greater Sage-Grouse Response to Conifer Removal: Is Life Really Better After the Trees are Gone? | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium
Greater Sage-Grouse Response to Conifer Removal: Is Life Really Better After the Trees are Gone?
Conifers such as western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) have encroached sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems and impacted greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) habitat. Previous research indicates that sage-grouse avoid conifers at canopy cover levels <2% and that landscape-scale removal of conifers can increase available habitat and improve nest and adult survival. However, little empirical data on the impact of conifer removal on sage-grouse population abundance or growth exists. Using a “before-after-control-impact” study design, sage-grouse marked with VHF and GPS transmitters were monitored at a treatment site with conifer removal and a control site without conifer removal in Lake County, Oregon from 2010–2017. Conifer removal began in the treatment area in 2012 and approximately 13,134 ha were removed on public and private lands by 2017. Over the course of the study, 417 marked females, 378 nests, and 223 broods were monitored. Hierarchical integrated population models were used to incorporate demographic data from telemetry and count data from annual lek surveys for more informative characterization of population growth rates in the treatment and control areas. Additionally, we used sensitivity analyses to quantify the effects of conifer removal-induced changes in vital rates on population dynamics. The results of these analyses will provide insights into the potential impact of conifer removal on sage-grouse population growth rates. A robust understanding by agencies that are actively removing conifers to benefit native wildlife including sage-grouse is critical for sustainable management of sagebrush ecosystems.
Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Andrew Olsen
(), andrew.olsen@oregonstate.edu;
Fisheries and Wildlife
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
John Severson
(), University of Idaho, john.p.severson@gmail.com;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Jeremy Maestas
(), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jeremy.Maestas@por.usda.gov;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Todd Forbes
(), Bureau of Land Management, tforbes@blm.gov;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Dave Naugle
(), University of Montana, david.naugle@umontana.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Christian Hagen
(), Oregon State University, Christian.Hagen@oregonstate.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -