Incorporating Genetic Data into Spatially-explicit Population Viability Models for Gunnison Sage-grouse
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By Fort Collins Science Center
August 31, 2016
This goal of this study is to develop a spatially explicit habitat-population modeling framework to assess the viability of Gunnison sage-grouse and each of the seven populations (Gunnison Basin and six satellite populations).
Components of this process include:
- Characterizing habitat for the Gunnison Basin and satellite populations
- Developing a spatially explicit individual-based model
- Simulating population dynamics and persistence to identify population thresholds and characterize population resiliency, redundancy, and representation (and indicating possible strategies for improvements to these)
- Quantifying the impacts of alternative habitat restoration and translocation strategies on regional and local population persistence
- Comparing model outcomes to previous approaches and results
- Setting the stage for future model applications that comprehensively address specific threats and stressors.
This research is in collaboration with Colorado State University.
Molecular Ecology Lab (MEL)
The Molecular Ecology Laboratory applies innovative genetic and genomic technologies to address a variety of complex questions and issues facing the Nation's natural resources. While we continually update the scale and efficiency of laboratory procedures to meet stakeholder needs, we must also be innovative and flexible in addressing those needs that have no off-the-shelf solution. We help...
Landscape Genetics of Sage Grouse
Loss and fragmentation of sagebrush habitats are among the primary causes of decline in greater and Gunnison sage-grouse. A fundamental need for species conservation is to identify and subsequently maintain a set of connected populations. Landscape genetics combines the fields of population genetics and landscape ecology to investigate how landscape and environmental features affect connectivity...
Scale-dependent influence of the sagebrush community on genetic connectivity of the sagebrush obligate Gunnison sage-grouse
Habitat fragmentation and degradation impacts an organism's ability to navigate the landscape, ultimately resulting in decreased gene flow and increased extinction risk. Understanding how landscape composition impacts gene flow (i.e., connectivity) and interacts with scale is essential to conservation decision-making. We used a landscape genetics approach implementing a recently...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Mevin Hooten, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Balancing model generality and specificity in management-focused habitat selection models for Gunnison sage-grouse
Identifying, protecting, and restoring habitats for declining wildlife populations is foundational to conservation and recovery planning for any species at risk of decline. Resource selection analysis is a key tool to assess habitat and prescribe management actions. Yet, it can be challenging to map suitable resource conditions across a wide range of ecological contexts and use the...
Authors
Dorothy Saher, Michael S. O'Donnell, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs
An empirical comparison of population genetic analyses using microsatellite and SNP data for a species of conservation concern
BackgroundUse of genomic tools to characterize wildlife populations has increased in recent years. In the past, genetic characterization has been accomplished with more traditional genetic tools (e.g., microsatellites). The explosion of genomic methods and the subsequent creation of large SNP datasets has led to the promise of increased precision in population genetic parameter estimates...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Evaluation of genetic change from translocation among Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) populations
Maintenance of genetic diversity is important for conserving species, especially those with fragmented habitats or ranges. In the absence of natural dispersal, translocation can be used to achieve this goal, although the success of translocation can be difficult to measure. Here we evaluate genetic change following translocation in Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a species...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Anthony D. Apa, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Development of 13 microsatellites for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) using next-generation shotgun sequencing and their utility in Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
Gunnison Sage-grouse are an obligate sagebrush species that has experienced significant population declines and has been proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In order to examine levels of connectivity among Gunnison Sage-grouse leks, we identified 13 novel microsatellite loci though next-generation shotgun sequencing, and tested them on the closely related Greater...
Authors
Jennifer A. Fike, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Shawna J Zimmerman, Todd A. Castoe
Genomic single-nucleotide polymorphisms confirm that Gunnison and Greater sage-grouse are genetically well differentiated and that the Bi-State population is distinct
Sage-grouse are iconic, declining inhabitants of sagebrush habitats in western North America, and their management depends on an understanding of genetic variation across the landscape. Two distinct species of sage-grouse have been recognized, Greater (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison sage-grouse (C. minimus), based on morphology, behavior, and variation at neutral genetic markers...
Authors
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Robert S. Cornman, Kenneth L. Jones, Jennifer A. Fike
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) in Colorado is described based on published literature, observations, museum specimens, and the known distribution of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Historically, Gunnison Sage-Grouse were widely but patchily distributed in up to 22 counties in south-central and southwestern Colorado. The historical distribution of...
Authors
Clait E. Braun, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Jennifer A. Nehring, Michelle L. Commons, Jessica Young, Kim M. Potter
Crucial nesting habitat for gunnison sage-grouse: A spatially explicit hierarchical approach
Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of special concern and is currently considered a candidate species under Endangered Species Act. Careful management is therefore required to ensure that suitable habitat is maintained, particularly because much of the species' current distribution is faced with exurban development pressures. We assessed hierarchical nest site...
Authors
Cameron L. Aldridge, D.J. Saher, T.M. Childers, K.E. Stahlnecker, Z.H. Bowen
Characterization of small microsatellite loci for use in non invasive sampling studies of Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus)
Primers for 10 microsatellite loci were developed specifically to amplify low quantity and quality DNA for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a species that has been petitioned for listing under the US Endangered Species Act. In a screen of 20 individuals from the largest population in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado, the 10 loci were found to have levels of variability ranging...
Authors
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Judy St. John
Population genetics of Gunnison sage-grouse: Implications for management
The newly described Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of concern for management because of marked declines in distribution and abundance due to the loss and fragmentation of sagebrush habitat. This has caused remaining populations to be unusually small and isolated. We utilized mitochondrial DNA sequence data and data from 8 nuclear microsatellites to assess the...
Authors
S.J. Oyler-McCance, J. St. John, S.E. Taylor, Anthony D. Apa, T.W. Quinn
Below are partners associated with this project.
This goal of this study is to develop a spatially explicit habitat-population modeling framework to assess the viability of Gunnison sage-grouse and each of the seven populations (Gunnison Basin and six satellite populations).
Components of this process include:
- Characterizing habitat for the Gunnison Basin and satellite populations
- Developing a spatially explicit individual-based model
- Simulating population dynamics and persistence to identify population thresholds and characterize population resiliency, redundancy, and representation (and indicating possible strategies for improvements to these)
- Quantifying the impacts of alternative habitat restoration and translocation strategies on regional and local population persistence
- Comparing model outcomes to previous approaches and results
- Setting the stage for future model applications that comprehensively address specific threats and stressors.
This research is in collaboration with Colorado State University.
Molecular Ecology Lab (MEL)
The Molecular Ecology Laboratory applies innovative genetic and genomic technologies to address a variety of complex questions and issues facing the Nation's natural resources. While we continually update the scale and efficiency of laboratory procedures to meet stakeholder needs, we must also be innovative and flexible in addressing those needs that have no off-the-shelf solution. We help...
Landscape Genetics of Sage Grouse
Loss and fragmentation of sagebrush habitats are among the primary causes of decline in greater and Gunnison sage-grouse. A fundamental need for species conservation is to identify and subsequently maintain a set of connected populations. Landscape genetics combines the fields of population genetics and landscape ecology to investigate how landscape and environmental features affect connectivity...
Scale-dependent influence of the sagebrush community on genetic connectivity of the sagebrush obligate Gunnison sage-grouse
Habitat fragmentation and degradation impacts an organism's ability to navigate the landscape, ultimately resulting in decreased gene flow and increased extinction risk. Understanding how landscape composition impacts gene flow (i.e., connectivity) and interacts with scale is essential to conservation decision-making. We used a landscape genetics approach implementing a recently...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Mevin Hooten, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Balancing model generality and specificity in management-focused habitat selection models for Gunnison sage-grouse
Identifying, protecting, and restoring habitats for declining wildlife populations is foundational to conservation and recovery planning for any species at risk of decline. Resource selection analysis is a key tool to assess habitat and prescribe management actions. Yet, it can be challenging to map suitable resource conditions across a wide range of ecological contexts and use the...
Authors
Dorothy Saher, Michael S. O'Donnell, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs
An empirical comparison of population genetic analyses using microsatellite and SNP data for a species of conservation concern
BackgroundUse of genomic tools to characterize wildlife populations has increased in recent years. In the past, genetic characterization has been accomplished with more traditional genetic tools (e.g., microsatellites). The explosion of genomic methods and the subsequent creation of large SNP datasets has led to the promise of increased precision in population genetic parameter estimates...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Evaluation of genetic change from translocation among Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) populations
Maintenance of genetic diversity is important for conserving species, especially those with fragmented habitats or ranges. In the absence of natural dispersal, translocation can be used to achieve this goal, although the success of translocation can be difficult to measure. Here we evaluate genetic change following translocation in Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a species...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Anthony D. Apa, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Development of 13 microsatellites for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) using next-generation shotgun sequencing and their utility in Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
Gunnison Sage-grouse are an obligate sagebrush species that has experienced significant population declines and has been proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In order to examine levels of connectivity among Gunnison Sage-grouse leks, we identified 13 novel microsatellite loci though next-generation shotgun sequencing, and tested them on the closely related Greater...
Authors
Jennifer A. Fike, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Shawna J Zimmerman, Todd A. Castoe
Genomic single-nucleotide polymorphisms confirm that Gunnison and Greater sage-grouse are genetically well differentiated and that the Bi-State population is distinct
Sage-grouse are iconic, declining inhabitants of sagebrush habitats in western North America, and their management depends on an understanding of genetic variation across the landscape. Two distinct species of sage-grouse have been recognized, Greater (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison sage-grouse (C. minimus), based on morphology, behavior, and variation at neutral genetic markers...
Authors
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Robert S. Cornman, Kenneth L. Jones, Jennifer A. Fike
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
The historical distribution of Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) in Colorado is described based on published literature, observations, museum specimens, and the known distribution of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). Historically, Gunnison Sage-Grouse were widely but patchily distributed in up to 22 counties in south-central and southwestern Colorado. The historical distribution of...
Authors
Clait E. Braun, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Jennifer A. Nehring, Michelle L. Commons, Jessica Young, Kim M. Potter
Crucial nesting habitat for gunnison sage-grouse: A spatially explicit hierarchical approach
Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of special concern and is currently considered a candidate species under Endangered Species Act. Careful management is therefore required to ensure that suitable habitat is maintained, particularly because much of the species' current distribution is faced with exurban development pressures. We assessed hierarchical nest site...
Authors
Cameron L. Aldridge, D.J. Saher, T.M. Childers, K.E. Stahlnecker, Z.H. Bowen
Characterization of small microsatellite loci for use in non invasive sampling studies of Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus)
Primers for 10 microsatellite loci were developed specifically to amplify low quantity and quality DNA for Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a species that has been petitioned for listing under the US Endangered Species Act. In a screen of 20 individuals from the largest population in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado, the 10 loci were found to have levels of variability ranging...
Authors
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Judy St. John
Population genetics of Gunnison sage-grouse: Implications for management
The newly described Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of concern for management because of marked declines in distribution and abundance due to the loss and fragmentation of sagebrush habitat. This has caused remaining populations to be unusually small and isolated. We utilized mitochondrial DNA sequence data and data from 8 nuclear microsatellites to assess the...
Authors
S.J. Oyler-McCance, J. St. John, S.E. Taylor, Anthony D. Apa, T.W. Quinn
Below are partners associated with this project.