Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Sage-grouse, iconic birds of the American West, have experienced dramatic reductions and fragmentation of habitat, resulting in significant conservation concern. Genetic information can help inform priorities for protection and habitat restoration as well as strategies for translocations, but may be difficult for resource managers to find, interpret, and use in their decision making. In this work, we will synthesize published genetic research on both sage-grouse species, providing guidance for how genetic information can be incorporated into management decisions.
Background
One sage-grouse species, the Gunnison sage-grouse, is currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and the more widespread greater sage-grouse is considered warranted but currently precluded for listing. Both species require sagebrush habitat for all aspects of their life cycle, inhabiting what is left of the sagebrush biome on and around public lands in western North America. For over two decades, genetic studies have been used to assist in the conservation and management of sage-grouse, addressing a wide variety of topics including taxonomy, parentage, population connectivity, and demography. Many sage-grouse conservation questions can be informed by genetic science and data, including:
- Where does unique genetic variation occur across the range that is important to protect to ensure long term viability of the species?
- What areas across the range are high priorities for maintaining genetic connectivity and avoiding population isolation?
- Which populations currently have low genetic diversity and may benefit from translocations to increase their genetic diversity?
- How can we identify the best source populations for potential translocations?
Research Objectives
The U.S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Land Management are collaborating to synthesize available science information related to sage-grouse genetics to help inform future conservation, restoration, and management actions on public and private lands within the sage-grouse range. We are using a newly developed synthesis format – structured science syntheses – that centers management decisions, and the processes that agencies use to make those decisions, to help facilitate use of the synthesized information to benefit sage-grouse populations.
About structured science syntheses
Structured science syntheses bring together science and data relevant to priority management issues and are coproduced with resource managers. They are explicitly developed and structured to help facilitate the use of science, data, and practical analysis methods in management decisions on and around public lands, helping agencies to better understand potential effects of proposed actions and meet their conservation and resource management goals.
