Widespread degradation of sagebrush and prairie ecosystems in western North�America has resulted in the loss of ecosystem function and resilience posing enormous conservation challenges.� Threats vary in intensity across the region, but the most extensive top-down stressors impacting these shrub and grassland ecosystems include conversion of native rangelands to row crop agriculture, residential subdivision, energy, mining and other industrial developments, woodland expansion, conversion from native vegetation to invasive species, and altered wildfire regimes.� This and the following presentations will focus on the effects of expanding woodlands and their management on grouse populations, one of the few practices available to rapidly restore otherwise suitable habitats.� During the first pinyon and juniper symposium held in Logan Utah in 1975, it was made clear that we knew little about the impacts of woodland management on wildlife, with the exception of deer winter range.� Over the years we have learned a considerable amount about the impacts of woodland encroachment into shrub-steppe and grasslands on ecosystem function and resilience.� However, only recently has research evaluated the direct impacts of conifer and mesquite encroachment and management on grouse behavior and survival, and recolonization following vegetation treatments.� This paper will very briefly summarize these results and then address the question; Is managing for grouse an opportunity or hindrance in restoring ecosystem function?
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.