Simulating the influence of sagebrush restoration on post-fire sage-grouse population recovery Active
Increased wildfire-induced loss of sagebrush in North American shrublands are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial habitat loss for sagebrush-obligate species like sage-grouse. Transplanting sagebrush (Artemisia species) is a possible strategy for revegetating burned areas, but little is known about sage-grouse or other wildlife responses to restoration strategies.
The increased frequency and severity of wildfire across the western United States threatens sage-grouse persistence because it can dramatically degrade sagebrush habitat, reducing nest success and sage-grouse survival. Using the results from the revegetation-habitat-recovery model for the Tuscarora region of Nevada, scientists at USGS and Colorado State University developed a spatially explicit individual-based model (IBM) to simulate sage-grouse response and population viability to the fire-induced loss of habitat, and responses to sagebrush restoration planting designs. This work expands the Tuscarora revegetation models to evaluate the potential benefits of local site restoration in preserving small populations of sage-grouse populations subject to large wildfires.
Scientists used this empirical, simulation-based approach to explore, 1) the impacts of wildfire on population trends and persistence, 2) the degree to which sagebrush plantings could ameliorate fire impacts on abundance within the burned footprint, and 3) the sensitivity of results to sage-grouse behavioral responses to fire and post-fire habitat recovery. These results can help managers assess the range of potential burn impacts and benefits of small site restoration projects for local sage-grouse populations.
This study has been completed and the manuscript is being prepared for publication. The project team included Nathan Van Schmidt, Julie Heinrichs, Cameron Aldridge, Elizabeth Orning, Bryan Tarbox, David Pyke, Peter Coates, and Mark Ricca. For further information or to request a briefing on this research, please contact Cameron Aldridge (aldridgec@usgs.gov).
Using simulation models to project and evaluate post-fire success in restoring sage-grouse habitat over large landscapes
Linking post-fire sagebrush restoration and sage-grouse habitat recovery
Field of Sagebrush Dreams: Planting and Restoring Functional Sagebrush in Burned Landscapes
Increased wildfire-induced loss of sagebrush in North American shrublands are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial habitat loss for sagebrush-obligate species like sage-grouse. Transplanting sagebrush (Artemisia species) is a possible strategy for revegetating burned areas, but little is known about sage-grouse or other wildlife responses to restoration strategies.
The increased frequency and severity of wildfire across the western United States threatens sage-grouse persistence because it can dramatically degrade sagebrush habitat, reducing nest success and sage-grouse survival. Using the results from the revegetation-habitat-recovery model for the Tuscarora region of Nevada, scientists at USGS and Colorado State University developed a spatially explicit individual-based model (IBM) to simulate sage-grouse response and population viability to the fire-induced loss of habitat, and responses to sagebrush restoration planting designs. This work expands the Tuscarora revegetation models to evaluate the potential benefits of local site restoration in preserving small populations of sage-grouse populations subject to large wildfires.
Scientists used this empirical, simulation-based approach to explore, 1) the impacts of wildfire on population trends and persistence, 2) the degree to which sagebrush plantings could ameliorate fire impacts on abundance within the burned footprint, and 3) the sensitivity of results to sage-grouse behavioral responses to fire and post-fire habitat recovery. These results can help managers assess the range of potential burn impacts and benefits of small site restoration projects for local sage-grouse populations.
This study has been completed and the manuscript is being prepared for publication. The project team included Nathan Van Schmidt, Julie Heinrichs, Cameron Aldridge, Elizabeth Orning, Bryan Tarbox, David Pyke, Peter Coates, and Mark Ricca. For further information or to request a briefing on this research, please contact Cameron Aldridge (aldridgec@usgs.gov).