Genetic and functional connectivity data for greater sage-grouse across the species range generated 2005-2015 (ver. 2.0, December 2022)

Functional connectivity, quantified using landscape genetics, can inform conservation through the identification of factors linking genetic structure to landscape mechanisms. We used breeding habitat metrics, landscape attributes, and indices of grouse abundance, to compare fit between structural connectivity and genetic differentiation within five long-established Sage-Grouse Management Zones (MZ) I-V using microsatellite genotypes from 6,009 greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) collected across their range. We estimated structural connectivity using a circuit theory-based approach where we built resistance surfaces using thresholds dividing the landscape into 'habitat' and 'nonhabitat' and nodes were clusters of sage-grouse leks (where feather samples were collected using non-invasive techniques). The resultant resistance maps spatially depict the strength and redundancy of range-wide gene flow and can help direct conservation actions to maintain and restore functional connectivity for sage-grouse. The data presented here include the raw genetic data and the functional connectivity cumulative current.