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RECOGNIZING SITES FOR EFFECTIVE MITIGATION IN SAGE-GROUSE HABITAT - QUALITY SAGEBRUSH HABITAT VS QUALITY SAGE-GROUSE LANDSCAPE
Author
Schultz, Brad
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2018
Body

There has been a proliferation of research about the biology of sage-grouse, their interaction with predators, and habitat requirements. Despite repeated statements that sage-grouse are a landscape species, habitat work often remains focused on plant community composition and structure at or near (<15-30 m) the nest site. Very little work has integrated nest site attributes with landscape level variables and processes, at the scale of the population management unit, which often covers hundreds of thousands of acres. The Montana Mountains in north-central Nevada have the greatest sage-grouse density in Nevada. A unique topography and geomorphology creates a mosaic of low and tall sagebrush species, interwoven with a high density of meadows, which collectively facilitates access to abundant forbs across short distances, from nest creation through late brood rearing. A comparison of the Montana Mountains with other areas inhabited by sage-grouse provides insight for prioritizing sites for mitigation or treatments to enhance sage-grouse populations. More big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata species) on the landscape may or may not confer additional benefit for sage-grouse, as big sagebrush is only one component of a quality sage-grouse landscape. Too often, management focuses on quality sagebrush habitat, instead of understanding what creates a quality sage-grouse landscape. A suite of important habitat elements (to be presented) in close proximity to one-another are needed to have a quality sage-grouse landscape. When habitat elements important for sage-grouse are few and cannot be created/restored, the landscape is inherently less favorable for sage-grouse, regardless of the spatial extent of sagebrush ecological sites. All population management units in Nevada have sub-areas that either have or potentially could have the critical habitat elements in close proximity to one-another. Understanding the mix of these habitat elements helps prioritize projects or other mitigation measures for sage-grouse.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Reno, NV
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts