Synthesizing sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and management actions 

Sara Oyler-McCance, Tait Rutherford, Patricia Deibert, Dawn Davis, Lief Wiechman, Sarah Carter 

Summary: For over two decades, genetic studies have been used to assist in the conservation and adaptive management of both greater (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison sage‐grouse (C. minimus), addressing a wide variety of topics including taxonomy, parentage, population connectivity, and demography. Such genetic information can help inform priorities for habitat protection and restoration as well as strategies for translocations. The U.S. Geological Survey is working with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to synthesize available published science related to sage‐grouse genetics for both species to help inform future conservation, restoration, and management actions on public and private lands within the extent of their ranges. We are using a synthesis format that is centered on management decisions to help facilitate use of the synthesized information to benefit sage‐grouse populations.   

Learn more: Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Adaptive divergence may influence greater sage-grouse conservation translocations in Washington 

Shawna Zimmerman, Cameron Aldridge, Michael Schroeder, Jennifer Fike, Robert (Scott) Cornman, Sara Oyler‐McCance

Conservation translocations are an important wildlife management tool commonly employed to augment declining or re‐establish extirpated populations. One goal of augmentation is to increase genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inbreeding depression (i.e., genetic rescue). Genetic data is increasingly more accessible for wildlife species and can provide unique insight regarding the presence and retention of introduced genetic variation from augmentation as an indicator of effectiveness and adaptive similarity as an indicator of source and recipient population suitability. Here we used two genetic datasets to first, evaluate augmentation of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in Washington and second, to retrospectively evaluate adaptive divergence among source and recipient populations. We found that augmentations increased local genetic diversity, but this increase was less than we predicted. Patterns of adaptive divergence suggest there may be important population differences influencing how successful transplants are in their new home and point to consideration for future efforts. 

Learn more: The potential influence of genome-wide adaptive divergence on conservation translocation outcome in an isolated greater sage-grouse population  

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population responses to wild horses and livestock across the sagebrush biome

Adrian Monroe, Shawn O’Neil, Cali Weise, Nicholas Van Lanen, Austin Nash, Derek Friend, Kathryn Shoenecker, Peter Coates, Cameron Aldridge

Summary: A recent study indicated sage‐grouse populations often declined when horse populations exceeded BLM‐established appropriate management levels in the Great Basin. Further, sage‐grouse population trends were associated with the timing and level of livestock grazing based on allotment records across Wyoming, depending on local vegetation productivity. However, a comprehensive study of both horses and livestock effects on sage‐grouse populations has yet to be conducted across the sagebrush biome. To address this information gap, we are studying whether population trends of sage‐grouse are associated with horse population size (relative to BLM appropriate management levels) and livestock grazing indices across gradients of vegetation productivity within the sagebrush biome. This study will provide broad‐scale ecological information for decision‐makers to balance multiple land uses in this complex system. 

Learn more: Wild horse and livestock influences on vegetation and wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems: Implications for refining and validating Appropriate Management Level (AML) | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Variation in spatial scales of effect and effect of sagebrush cover across the sage-grouse range: implications for management 

Adrian Monroe, Michael O’Donnell, Julie Heinrichs, Matthew Rigge, Erin Buchholtz, Ashley Whipple, Benjamin Augustine, Brian Prochazka, Peter Coates, Cameron Aldridge 

Summary: Greater sage‐grouse (hereafter, sage‐grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus) respond to components of their landscapes at different spatial scales, and identifying relevant scales of effect is needed to plan for multiple land uses and mitigate or avoid scale‐dependent population effects. Previously, we applied a scale selection approach to estimate relevant spatial scales of effect for sagebrush cover (Artemisia spp.) around leks in southwestern Wyoming. We extended this approach across the sage‐grouse range, testing whether the spatial scale of effect for sagebrush varied with topography, edge density, and sagebrush connectivity. We then summarized scales of effect within spatial units relevant to management, and evaluated whether the relationship between sage‐grouse population trends and sagebrush cover was context‐specific. These analyses will allow managers to anticipate how spatial scales of effect may vary across these vast landscapes, mitigate or avoid scale‐dependent population effects, and inform multiple land‐use plans, particularly as they relate to changes in sagebrush cover. 

Learn more: Hierarchical Population Monitoring Framework for Greater Sage-Grouse | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

Range-wide predictive seasonal habitat mapping for greater sage-grouse 

Gregory t. Wann, Cameron Aldridge, Megan McLachlan, Jeffrey Beck, Timothy Bowden, Peter Coates, Courtney Conway, David Dahlgren, Jonathan Dinkins, Aaron Johnston, Christian Hagen, Paul Makela, David Naugle, Michael Schroeder, James Sedinger, Leah Waldner, Brett Walker, Perry Williams, Ashley Whipple

Greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) demonstrate seasonal variation in habitat associations leading to seasonal changes in spatial‐use patterns. A consistent set of seasonal habitat maps can aid resource management agencies like the Bureau of Land Management in range‐wide habitat evaluations. Our goals were to compile a range‐wide telemetry dataset for habitat mapping and fit habitat selection models to used‐available locations within discrete seasonal periods. We compiled telemetry data across the U.S. sage‐grouse range from over 14,000 VHF and GPS marked individuals. We developed models for each season (spring, summer‐fall, and winter) and periods targeting specific reproductive states (nesting and brood habitats). Models were validated regionally and temporally using data from withheld test sites and years in cross validation. We present mapped predictions and habitat associations and discuss important considerations for using these maps for the purpose of habitat evaluations and land‐use planning scenarios. 

Learn more: Creating range-wide predictive maps of Greater Sage-Grouse seasonal habitats | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

PReSET: A tool to optimize conservation, restoration, and management actions across the sagebrush biome

Cameron Aldridge, Bryan Tarbox, Nicholas Van Lanen, Adrian Monroe, Jessica Shyvers, Courtney Duchardt

Summary: Decision‐support tools are needed to facilitate strategic selection of where and how to efficiently and effectively allocate resources to ensure future functionality and persistence of sagebrush ecosystems. We originally developed a spatial conservation prioritization tool called PReSET (Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool), to optimize sagebrush restoration in southwestern Wyoming, and have since expanded this tool across the sagebrush biome within the state. Our tool leverages emerging spatial data resources to produce decision‐support resources with direct utility for landscape conservation and restoration planning. The flexibility in the tool’s framework allows for the development of customized optimization scenarios that consider current ecological status of habitats, best‐available species suitability metrics, restoration potential, habitat connectivity, and future risk related to climate change. We demonstrate how such tools can be used to develop adaptable decision‐support resources that incorporate multiple factors and improve management outcomes across a wide array of systems and species.

Learn more:  Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool (PReSET): A USGS-facilitated Decision-support Tool for Sagebrush Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Actions | U.S. Geological Survey