NEAR OR FAR: AT WHAT SPATIAL SCALES DOES VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AFFECT SAGE-GROUSE POPULATIONS IN WYOMING

Richard D. Inman, Benjamin S. Robb, Micheal O’Donnell, Adrian P. Monroe, David R. Edmunds, Mathew J. Holloran, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Road networks and their associated vehicular traffic negatively impact populations of many terrestrial species by causing habitat degradation, functional habitat loss, and direct mortality. Inventories of roads used to assess these impacts often focus on the ‘where’ (for example, spatial disturbance) but neglect the ‘when’ (for example, temporal disturbance) or ‘how much’ (for example, dynamic traffic disturbance). We used estimates of traffic volume to 1) assess how traffic has impacted sage-grouse population growth rates, 2) identify the spatial scales at which these effects are most evident, and 3) identify what levels of traffic result in sage-grouse population declines. 

A REVIEW OF SAGE-GROUSE SEASONAL RESOURCE USE: GOING BACK 20 YEARS TO LOOK FORWARD

Ashley L. Whipple, Gregory T. Wann, Elizabeth K. Orning, Cameron L. Aldridge, Megan M. McLachlan, Jeffrey L. Beck, Timothy Bowden, Peter S. Coates, Courtney J. Conway, David K. Dahlgren, Jonathan B. Dinkins, Aaron N. Johnston, Christian A. Hagen, Paul D. Makela, David E. Naugle, Barry R. Noon, Michael A. Schroeder, James S. Sedinger, Leah Waldner, Brett L. Walker, Perry J. Williams

Overview: Habitat selection studies have gained considerable representation in wildlife studies over the past 20 years, especially for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Assessing the types of seasonal habitats used and quantifying disturbance thresholds, priority habitats, and implications of future changes are needed to inform conservation and management goals for the species. Here, we present results from a review of seasonal habitat studies at population- and individual-levels. We extracted information from 72 published studies and summarize temporal definitions used to define seasons and evaluate patterns in habitat selection relationships among studies.

COSTS, BENEFITS, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ADDRESSING INVASIVE ANNUAL GRASSES ACROSS THE SAGEBRUSH BIOME UNDER THE SAGEBRUSH CONSERVATION DESIGN

Elizabeth K. Orning, Bryan C. Tarbox, Lindy Garner, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Cameron L. Aldridge, James R. Meldrum

Overview: Invasive annual grasses (IAG) continue to spread within the sagebrush biome, degrading plant communities and wildlife habitat, decreasing forage for ranching livelihoods, and heightening wildfire risk. Effective management of IAGs requires strategic planning and action, but the cost:benefit implications of different management strategies are not well understood. To evaluate the costs and effects of implementing Sagebrush Conservation Design strategies across the biome, we developed a state-and-transition simulation model (STSM) of IAGs informed by expert knowledge and empirical research. We will present preliminary results of this process, including cumulative long-term treatment costs and invaded cover over time. 

TARGETING CONIFER REMOVAL TO OPTIMIZE BIODIVERSITY OUTCOMES ACROSS SAGEBRUSH SHRUBLANDS AND JUNIPER WOODLANDS

Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Bryan C. Tarbox, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and other sagebrush-obligate songbirds benefit from conifer removal within sagebrush habitats. Unfortunately, growing evidence suggests pinyon pine and juniper associated species, including the declining pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), are likely negatively affected by conifer removal. Thus, managers require information regarding where conifer removal can be implemented to concurrently manage for sagebrush and juniper woodlands. To address this need, we leveraged recently developed songbird density-habitat models and linear integer programming to identify sites for conifer removal which can maximize benefits to sagebrush songbird species and minimize negative outcomes for woodland-associated species. 

BEYOND PERCENT COVER: RATES OF CHANGE IN INVASIVE ANNUAL GRASS COVER TO INFORM MANAGEMENT ACTIONS IN WYOMING SAGEBRUSH ECOSYSTEMS

Morgan D. Roche, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michele R. Crist, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Helen R. Sofaer, Julie A. Heinrichs

Overview: Invasion of annual grasses has altered wildfire regimes and has contributed to sagebrush ecosystem degradation. Rates of change in invasive annual grass cover describe invasion trajectories, and can be used by land managers to fine-tune locations for priority invasive species treatments. We calculated rates of change in invasive annual grass cover and described patterns in rates of change across the sagebrush biome, and used this information to identify potential management opportunities. We mapped these management opportunities to identify zones of the sagebrush biome that could be prioritized for different goals and showed how those areas aligned with management frameworks.

UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND FUTURE OF SOIL-CLIMATE CONDITIONS TO INFORM RANGELAND MANAGEMENT

Michael S. O'Donnell

Overview: Soil temperature and moisture (soil-climate) provide important links between climate and growing conditions. I estimate spatially varying soil-climate regimes by incorporating soil and climate inputs, snowmelt, and timing of water infiltration into an existing model. I first applied this method across the western United States using monthly climate averages (1981–2010) and am currently improving estimates of evapotranspiration, deriving calendar day events, and assessing soil-climate conditions. Furthermore, I am assessing climate forecast scenarios that rely on three shared socio-economic pathways and three climate averages. I will conclude with ongoing applications and how future climate scenarios may inform management.

LEVERAGING SPATIALLY AND TEMPORALLY EXTENSIVE DATA ON MANAGEMENT, FIRE, SOILS, AND VEGETATION TO MODEL SAGEBRUSH RECOVERY AND RESTORATION

Bryan C. Tarbox, Adrian P. Monroe, Michael S. O'Donnell, Julie A. Heinrichs, David S. Pilliod, Michelle I. Jeffries, Justin L. Welty, Robert S. Arkle, Peter S. Coates, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Effective restoration is needed to combat ongoing sagebrush habitat degradation, but understanding the conditions determining when, where, and at what rate sagebrush recovery will occur is a pressing research need for prioritizing and implementing restoration. We analyzed datasets spanning broad spatiotemporal extents to model sagebrush recovery across the biome (1986–2021) and generate context-dependent estimates of treatment efficacy and influence of environmental factors, as well as spatially explicit predictions of sagebrush recovery rates. These analyses will serve as inputs for economic cost-effectiveness analyses, restoration prioritization tools, and other scientific endeavors.

EXPANDING PReSET FROM THE WYOMING LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE TO WYOMING-WIDE

Cameron L. Aldridge, Bryan C. Tarbox, Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Adrian P. Monroe, Jessica E. Shyvers, Courtney J. Duchardt

Overview: 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 and the flexibility in the tool’s framework allows for the development of customized optimization scenarios. 

PREDICTING RANGE-WIDE SEASONAL HABITATS FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE FROM A LARGE TRACKING DATASET

Gregory T. Wann, Megan M. McLachlan, Jeffrey L. Beck, Timothy Bowden, Peter S. Coates, Courtney J. Conway, David K. Dahlgren, Jonathan B. Dinkins, Aaron N. Johnston, Christian A. Hagen, Paul D. Makela, David E. Naugle, Michael A. Schroeder, James S. Sedinger, Leah Waldner, Brett L. Walker, Perry J. Williams, Ashley L. Whipple, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Wildlife populations commonly change their habitat associations temporally to meet resource needs, making it important to identify and prioritize habitats within discrete seasonal periods. We compiled a location dataset of tracking studies spanning the U.S. range-wide distribution of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to develop a set of models and predictive habitat maps for the Bureau of Land Management. We used resource selection functions to develop general season models (spring, summer, and winter) and models targeting specific breeding periods (nesting and brood habitats). We provide specific examples of mapped predictions and performance throughout the greater sage-grouse range in Wyoming.

STRUCTURED SCIENCE SYNTHESES: A COPRODUCED PRODUCT TO HELP BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN WILDLIFE SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC LANDS

Tait K. Rutherford, Sarah K. Carter, Ella M. Samuel, Travis S. Haby, Emma I. Dietrich, Taylor R. Ganz, Megan A. Gilbert, Aaron N. Johnston, Samuel E. Jordan, Nathan J. Kleist, Richard J. Lehrter, Logan M. Maxwell, Alexandra L. Stoneburner, Elisabeth C. Teige, John C. Tull, Sarah E. Whipple, David J.A. Wood

Overview: Federal land managers analyze the effects of agency actions on wildlife under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires the use of science in these analyses, but agency staff have limited time to compile, synthesize, and apply that science. To address these limitations, we assessed current science use in Bureau of Land Management NEPA analyses and developed a new type of science delivery product tailored for use on multiple-use public lands — structured science syntheses. Each synthesis aligns with the NEPA process, involving the combination of a proposed action and potentially affected resource, and is coproduced by managers and researchers.

WILD HORSES AND LIVESTOCK EFFECTS ON GREATER SAGE-GROUSE POPULATIONS ACROSS THEIR RANGE

Adrian P. Monroe, Shawn T. O’Neil, Cali L. Weise, Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Austin L. Nash, Derek A. Friend, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, Peter S. Coates, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Livestock grazing is a widespread land use across the western United States, overlapping much of the greater sage-grouse (hereafter, sage-grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus) range, as well as areas of increasing wild horse populations. We are studying wild horse populations and livestock to assess their influence on multiple ecosystem health components. We will present preliminary results on the relative influence of wild horse abundance and livestock indices on sage-grouse population performance. Additional analyses will examine relationships with vegetation as well as songbird densities, and we will project responses of wildlife to livestock grazing and horse abundance under future climate scenarios.

VARIATION IN SPATIAL SCALES OF EFFECT ACROSS THE SAGE-GROUSE RANGE, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

Adrian P. Monroe, Michael S. O’Donnell, Matthew B. Rigge, Julie A. Heinrichs, Ashley L. Whipple, Peter S. Coates, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Greater sage-grouse (hereafter, sage-grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus) respond to components of their landscapes at different spatial scales; identifying relevant scales of effect is needed to plan for multiple land uses and avoid scale-dependent population impacts. Previously, we estimated relevant spatial scales of effect for sagebrush cover around leks in southwestern Wyoming. We are extending this analysis across the sage-grouse range and we will summarize scales of effect within spatial units defined across the sage-grouse range and relevant to management. These analyses will allow managers to anticipate how spatial scales of effect may vary across these vast landscapes and inform multiple land-use planning.

MODELING SONGBIRD TRENDS AND DENSITY-HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS TO PRIORITIZE AND INFORM CONSERVATION ACTION

Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Adrian P. Monroe, Cameron L. Aldridge

Overview: Information on the status and associations of wildlife populations is fundamental to informed wildlife management., yet poorly understood for many of Wyoming’s songbird species. To address this information gap, we leveraged data from a broad-scale integrated avian monitoring program to model regional population trends and habitat associations for 12 songbird species associated with sagebrush shrublands and juniper woodlands. Collectively, our results identify priority species for future conservation efforts, actions likely to enhance these populations, and locations where protection, disturbance, or restoration are liable to have the largest influences on each species.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SUBALPINE FIR REMOVAL TO REGENERATE ASPEN IN SOUTHERN WYOMING

Patrick J. Anderson, Linda Zeigenfuss, Timothy Assal

Overview: Fire suppression activities and climate change have been linked with an increase of conifer establishment in aspen stands. Aspen recruitment following conifer removal varies depending on type of conifer removal, duration of conifer establishment, soils, and topography.  In 2008, we initiated a study in the Medicine Bow National Forest to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanically removing fir on aspen recruitment and stand structure diversity. We present model outcomes on the influence of aspen herbivory and pretreatment fir establishment on soil chemistry, and long-term aspen recruitment. Our results indicate that mechanical removal of conifers is an effective management tool to promote aspen recruitment in southern Wyoming.