Pygmy Rabbit Distribution and Abundance Relative to Ongoing Energy Development in Wyoming Completed
USGS scientists investigated the impact of oil and gas development on distribution of pygmy rabbit in Wyoming.
Pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) rely year-round on sagebrush for both food and cover and are sensitive to oil and gas development. They are a species of conservation concern in several States and have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act across their range.
In Wyoming, USGS scientists investigated the influence of oil and gas development on pygmy rabbit populations. This research helped determine the distribution of pygmy rabbit habitat relative to ongoing oil and gas well development and how far from the nearest well pad, road, or pipelines pygmy rabbit presence and abundance may be affected. This information can help inform the development of future oil and gas fields and reduce the effects of disturbance on pygmy rabbits and other sagebrush obligate wildlife. The scientists anticipate expanding this work to other states where pygmy rabbits and energy development co-occur to help future energy development and efforts to manage this sagebrush-obligate species.
Distance effects of gas field infrastructure on pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming
Relationships between gas field development and the presence and abundance of pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming
Predicting occupancy for pygmy rabbits in Wyoming: an independent evaluation of two species distribution models
USGS scientists investigated the impact of oil and gas development on distribution of pygmy rabbit in Wyoming.
Pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) rely year-round on sagebrush for both food and cover and are sensitive to oil and gas development. They are a species of conservation concern in several States and have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act across their range.
In Wyoming, USGS scientists investigated the influence of oil and gas development on pygmy rabbit populations. This research helped determine the distribution of pygmy rabbit habitat relative to ongoing oil and gas well development and how far from the nearest well pad, road, or pipelines pygmy rabbit presence and abundance may be affected. This information can help inform the development of future oil and gas fields and reduce the effects of disturbance on pygmy rabbits and other sagebrush obligate wildlife. The scientists anticipate expanding this work to other states where pygmy rabbits and energy development co-occur to help future energy development and efforts to manage this sagebrush-obligate species.