Shrubland, Alpine and Grassland Ecology (SAGE) Wildlife Research Group
The SAGE Wildlife Research Group consists of a large team of research scientists with an interest in conservation and management of wildlife and their ecosystems. Broadly, research involves understanding animal-habitat relationships, with an emphasis on conservation ecology and population demography, and a focus on shrubland, alpine, and grassland ecosystems. We are addressing the effects of energy development and land-use change on conserving wildlife populations, their habitats, and the ecosystems they inhabit, and work closely on these issues with state and federal partners, NGOs, conservation groups and industry.
Species we currently study include songbirds, mammals, snakes, lizards, and grouse, such as white-tailed ptarmigan and sage-grouse. We also work with plant communities and exotic invasive plants to understand how external drivers such as grazing and energy development affect plant communities and thus, wildlife. We work across spatial scales and use statistical and empirical modeling to answer research questions, many of which have direct applications for conservation and management of species, most notably sage-grouse, and their habitats.
Sagebrush Restoration and Recovery
Field of Sagebrush Dreams: Planting and Restoring Functional Sagebrush in Burned Landscapes
Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool (PReSET)
Predicting recovery of sagebrush ecosystems
Soil-climate for managing sagebrush ecosystems
Invasive Annual Grasses
Economic assessment of addressing invasive annual grasses
Vegetation conditions and invasive plant species on mine lands
Assessing the Proliferation, Connectivity, and Consequences of Invasive Fine Fuels on the Sagebrush Biome
Assessing invasive annual grass treatment efficacy across the sagebrush biome
Effects of the herbicide, Indaziflam, on invasive annual grasses
Evaluating potential vectors of annual grass invasion
Invasive Annual Grass (IAG) Spatial Dataset Compilation and Synthesis
Sage-grouse Monitoring and Conservation
Hierarchical Population Monitoring Framework for Greater Sage-Grouse
Road Ecology
Development and application of genomic resources for the greater sage-grouse
Creating range-wide predictive maps of greater sage-grouse seasonal habitats
Wildlife Biology and Management
Predicting songbird population response to environmental change
Mapping Grassland Bird Community Distribution under a Changing Climate
Prioritizing conifer removal for multi-species outcomes
Wild horse and livestock influences on vegetation and wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems
Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States
Assessing vegetation and avian community response to juniper reduction treatments
Highlighted News from the SAGE Wildlife Research Group
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New tools for a growing threat: Co-developed science informs the fight against invasive grasses in the sagebrush biome New tools for a growing threat: Co-developed science informs the fight against invasive grasses in the sagebrush biome
In a new study, FORT scientists worked with resource managers to co-develop a strategic framework for invasive grass management across the sagebrush biome. The framework, implemented through computer simulation models, can help resource managers explore the efficacy of invasive grass management strategies and develop informed, economic conservation plans.
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New study on the economics of public land treatments reveals treatment characteristics influence costs New study on the economics of public land treatments reveals treatment characteristics influence costs
Limited information exists on the costs of public land treatments, such as controlling flammable weeds and conducting prescribed burns, but managers can pair cost information with effectiveness data to improve decision making. In a new study, researchers used data from the BLM/USGS Land Treatment Digital Library to develop land treatment cost estimates.
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FORT scientists present research at the Society for Range Management 2025 Annual Meeting FORT scientists present research at the Society for Range Management 2025 Annual Meeting
A group of FORT scientists presented virtually and in-person at the Society for Range Management 2025 Annual Meeting in Spokane, Washington, from February 9–13.
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Ecological benefits and risks of fuel breaks vary across the sagebrush biome Ecological benefits and risks of fuel breaks vary across the sagebrush biome
Fuel breaks – strips of land managed for reduced flammability – are designed to aid wildfire suppression and management. However, construction of fuel breaks may reduce wildlife habitat and introduce invasive species to ecosystems. In a new study published in Fire Ecology, USGS and Colorado State University researchers investigated these potential trade-offs of fuel breaks in sagebrush ecosystems.
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Considering current ecosystem condition in restoration planning Considering current ecosystem condition in restoration planning
Restoration planning requires managers to weigh the potential benefits and costs of restoration action at a site. Sometimes, managers use structured, mathematical algorithms to decide where to focus restoration efforts. However, these algorithms do not always consider the current condition of ecosystems, instead focusing on the potential value of the resulting (desired) ecosystem.
Influence of future climate scenarios on habitat and population dynamics of greater sage-grouse
Estimating trends for greater sage-grouse populations within highly stochastic environments
A targeted annual warning system (TAWS) for identifying aberrant declines in greater sage-grouse populations
Predicting risk of annual grass invasion following fire in sagebrush steppe and rangeland ecosystems
Understanding How Vehicular Traffic Impacts Sage-Grouse Populations In Wyoming
Prioritizing conifer removal for multi-species outcomes
Soil-climate for Managing Sagebrush Ecosystems
Climate Averages of Soil-climate for Sagebrush Ecosystems
Future Scenarios of Soil-climate for Sagebrush Ecosystems
Assessing invasive annual grass treatment efficacy across the sagebrush biome
Understanding Population Trends for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse to Inform Adaptive Management
Wild horse and livestock influences on vegetation and wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems: Implications for refining and validating Appropriate Management Level (AML)
Gunnison sage-grouse predicted gene flow (conductance) surfaces, Colorado, United States Gunnison sage-grouse predicted gene flow (conductance) surfaces, Colorado, United States
Genotypes and cluster definitions for a range-wide greater sage-grouse dataset collected 2005-2017 (ver 1.1, January 2023) Genotypes and cluster definitions for a range-wide greater sage-grouse dataset collected 2005-2017 (ver 1.1, January 2023)
Greater sage-grouse genetic warning system, western United States (ver 1.1, January 2023) Greater sage-grouse genetic warning system, western United States (ver 1.1, January 2023)
Predicted Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) densities across the western United States, 2008-2020 Predicted Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) densities across the western United States, 2008-2020
Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) scale of effect for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population trends in southwest Wyoming, USA 2003-2019 Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) scale of effect for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population trends in southwest Wyoming, USA 2003-2019
Trends and a Targeted Annual Warning System for Greater Sage-Grouse in the Western United States (ver. 4.0, November 2025) Trends and a Targeted Annual Warning System for Greater Sage-Grouse in the Western United States (ver. 4.0, November 2025)
U.S. range-wide spatial prediction layers of lek persistence probabilities for greater sage-grouse U.S. range-wide spatial prediction layers of lek persistence probabilities for greater sage-grouse
Hierarchically nested and biologically relevant range-wide monitoring frameworks for greater sage-grouse, western United States Hierarchically nested and biologically relevant range-wide monitoring frameworks for greater sage-grouse, western United States
Soil-climate estimates in the western United States: climate averages (1981-2010) Soil-climate estimates in the western United States: climate averages (1981-2010)
Sagebrush Restoration Following Fire Disturbance in the Virginia Mountains, Nevada (2018) Sagebrush Restoration Following Fire Disturbance in the Virginia Mountains, Nevada (2018)
Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States) Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States)
Gunnison sage-grouse habitat suitability of six satellite populations in southwestern Colorado: San Miguel, Crawford, Pinon Mesa, Dove Creek, Cerro Summit-Cimarron-Sims, and Poncha Pass Gunnison sage-grouse habitat suitability of six satellite populations in southwestern Colorado: San Miguel, Crawford, Pinon Mesa, Dove Creek, Cerro Summit-Cimarron-Sims, and Poncha Pass
Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone Living on the edge: Predicting songbird response to management and environmental changes across an ecotone
Sage-grouse Sage-grouse
A multi-ecosystem prioritization framework to balance competing habitat conservation needs of multiple species in decline A multi-ecosystem prioritization framework to balance competing habitat conservation needs of multiple species in decline
Using state-and-transition simulation models to scope post-fire success in restoring greater sage-grouse habitat Using state-and-transition simulation models to scope post-fire success in restoring greater sage-grouse habitat
Dynamic spatiotemporal modeling of a habitat-defining plant species to support wildlife management at regional scales Dynamic spatiotemporal modeling of a habitat-defining plant species to support wildlife management at regional scales
Temporal patterns of structural sagebrush connectivity from 1985 to 2020 Temporal patterns of structural sagebrush connectivity from 1985 to 2020
A retrospective assessment of fuel break effectiveness for containing rangeland wildfires in the sagebrush biome A retrospective assessment of fuel break effectiveness for containing rangeland wildfires in the sagebrush biome
Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2022 Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2022
Using neutral landscape models to evaluate the umbrella species concept in an ecotone Using neutral landscape models to evaluate the umbrella species concept in an ecotone
A targeted annual warning system developed for the conservation of a sagebrush indicator species A targeted annual warning system developed for the conservation of a sagebrush indicator species
A hidden cost of single species management: Habitat-relationships reveal potential negative effects of conifer removal on a non-target species A hidden cost of single species management: Habitat-relationships reveal potential negative effects of conifer removal on a non-target species
Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2021 Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2021
The SAGE Wildlife Research Group consists of a large team of research scientists with an interest in conservation and management of wildlife and their ecosystems. Broadly, research involves understanding animal-habitat relationships, with an emphasis on conservation ecology and population demography, and a focus on shrubland, alpine, and grassland ecosystems. We are addressing the effects of energy development and land-use change on conserving wildlife populations, their habitats, and the ecosystems they inhabit, and work closely on these issues with state and federal partners, NGOs, conservation groups and industry.
Species we currently study include songbirds, mammals, snakes, lizards, and grouse, such as white-tailed ptarmigan and sage-grouse. We also work with plant communities and exotic invasive plants to understand how external drivers such as grazing and energy development affect plant communities and thus, wildlife. We work across spatial scales and use statistical and empirical modeling to answer research questions, many of which have direct applications for conservation and management of species, most notably sage-grouse, and their habitats.
Sagebrush Restoration and Recovery
Field of Sagebrush Dreams: Planting and Restoring Functional Sagebrush in Burned Landscapes
Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool (PReSET)
Predicting recovery of sagebrush ecosystems
Soil-climate for managing sagebrush ecosystems
Invasive Annual Grasses
Economic assessment of addressing invasive annual grasses
Vegetation conditions and invasive plant species on mine lands
Assessing the Proliferation, Connectivity, and Consequences of Invasive Fine Fuels on the Sagebrush Biome
Assessing invasive annual grass treatment efficacy across the sagebrush biome
Effects of the herbicide, Indaziflam, on invasive annual grasses
Evaluating potential vectors of annual grass invasion
Invasive Annual Grass (IAG) Spatial Dataset Compilation and Synthesis
Sage-grouse Monitoring and Conservation
Hierarchical Population Monitoring Framework for Greater Sage-Grouse
Road Ecology
Development and application of genomic resources for the greater sage-grouse
Creating range-wide predictive maps of greater sage-grouse seasonal habitats
Wildlife Biology and Management
Predicting songbird population response to environmental change
Mapping Grassland Bird Community Distribution under a Changing Climate
Prioritizing conifer removal for multi-species outcomes
Wild horse and livestock influences on vegetation and wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems
Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States
Assessing vegetation and avian community response to juniper reduction treatments
Highlighted News from the SAGE Wildlife Research Group
-
New tools for a growing threat: Co-developed science informs the fight against invasive grasses in the sagebrush biome New tools for a growing threat: Co-developed science informs the fight against invasive grasses in the sagebrush biome
In a new study, FORT scientists worked with resource managers to co-develop a strategic framework for invasive grass management across the sagebrush biome. The framework, implemented through computer simulation models, can help resource managers explore the efficacy of invasive grass management strategies and develop informed, economic conservation plans.
-
New study on the economics of public land treatments reveals treatment characteristics influence costs New study on the economics of public land treatments reveals treatment characteristics influence costs
Limited information exists on the costs of public land treatments, such as controlling flammable weeds and conducting prescribed burns, but managers can pair cost information with effectiveness data to improve decision making. In a new study, researchers used data from the BLM/USGS Land Treatment Digital Library to develop land treatment cost estimates.
-
FORT scientists present research at the Society for Range Management 2025 Annual Meeting FORT scientists present research at the Society for Range Management 2025 Annual Meeting
A group of FORT scientists presented virtually and in-person at the Society for Range Management 2025 Annual Meeting in Spokane, Washington, from February 9–13.
-
Ecological benefits and risks of fuel breaks vary across the sagebrush biome Ecological benefits and risks of fuel breaks vary across the sagebrush biome
Fuel breaks – strips of land managed for reduced flammability – are designed to aid wildfire suppression and management. However, construction of fuel breaks may reduce wildlife habitat and introduce invasive species to ecosystems. In a new study published in Fire Ecology, USGS and Colorado State University researchers investigated these potential trade-offs of fuel breaks in sagebrush ecosystems.
-
Considering current ecosystem condition in restoration planning Considering current ecosystem condition in restoration planning
Restoration planning requires managers to weigh the potential benefits and costs of restoration action at a site. Sometimes, managers use structured, mathematical algorithms to decide where to focus restoration efforts. However, these algorithms do not always consider the current condition of ecosystems, instead focusing on the potential value of the resulting (desired) ecosystem.