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Peter Coates, PhD

Dr. Peter Coates is a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Ecological Research Center.

He is interested in sound science and management practices aimed at restoring wildlife communities and their habitats. He is committed to progressive, scientifically defensible conservation actions in the face of increasing human population size and individual consumption. Abundance and distribution of wild populations often can be linked to changes in their environments caused by human land use practices, but identifying the ecological mechanisms of declining populations are often challenging. Specifically, Dr. Coates is interested in investigating the links between nesting habitat, predator composition, and incubation behavior and success of birds. Additionally, he is interested in the effects of anthropogenic-resource subsidies on the survival and reproduction of predators and how these changes influence demographics and distribution of prey populations. Dr. Coates seeks to develop a broader understanding of how human-caused landscape changes affect communities and aim to identify restoration practices that preserve natural ecological processes. He is also interested in behavioral traits of grouse that affect population establishment and persistence in the face of environmental challenges.
 


 

Professional Experience

  • Wildlife Biologist, U. S. Geological Survey, 2008–present

  • Postdoctoral Appointment, Idaho State University, 2008

  • Seasonal Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2007

  • Graduate Research Assistantship, Idaho State University, 2002–2007

  • Teaching Assistantship, Idaho State University, 2004–2007

  • National Science Foundation GK–12 Teaching F, Idaho State University, 2005–2006

  • Seasonal Biological Specialist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 2003–2005

  • Field Research Technician, University of Nevada Reno, 1999

  • Conservation Biological Technician I, II, and III, Nevada Department of Wildlife, 1996–1998

Education and Certifications

  • Ph. D., Biology, Idaho State University 2007

  • M. S., Biology, University of Nevada Reno 2001

  • B. S., Conservation Biology, University of Nevada Reno 1998

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Ornithologists Union

  • Cooper Ornithological Society

  • Jack H. Berryman Institute

  • Society for Conservation Biology

  • The Wildlife Society

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 34
two greater sage-grouse face each other in the middle of sagebrush landscape, snow-capped mountains in the background

Estimating locally relevant scales of effect for population trends of a species of conservation concern

Wildlife movement and distribution can be influenced by local conditions like topography and landscape features, and the distances within which species respond to their landscape – scales of effect – can vary over space and time. We are estimating scales of effect for wildlife population trends to help land managers determine the distance within which wildlife will respond to landscape change.
By
Land Change Science Program, Land Management Research Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Estimating locally relevant scales of effect for population trends of a species of conservation concern

Estimating locally relevant scales of effect for population trends of a species of conservation concern

Wildlife movement and distribution can be influenced by local conditions like topography and landscape features, and the distances within which species respond to their landscape – scales of effect – can vary over space and time. We are estimating scales of effect for wildlife population trends to help land managers determine the distance within which wildlife will respond to landscape change.
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a field researcher holds a small piece of biocrust and a spray bottle, shrubs and mountains in the background

Ground-truthing an easy guide to biocrust morphogroups

Land and resource managers are increasingly aware of the contribution of biocrusts to ecological functions and have expressed interest in training and resources to recognize biocrusts in the field. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WERC scientists have drafted a single page, easy guide to...
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
Ground-truthing an easy guide to biocrust morphogroups

Ground-truthing an easy guide to biocrust morphogroups

Land and resource managers are increasingly aware of the contribution of biocrusts to ecological functions and have expressed interest in training and resources to recognize biocrusts in the field. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WERC scientists have drafted a single page, easy guide to...
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a hand with fingerless glove holds a small piece of biocrust

State of Knowledge of Biological Soil Crusts: A synthesis of work to inform land management.

Land and resource managers are increasingly interested in up-to-date information for biocrust conservation and management. To facilitate the use of evolving science by land managers, WERC scientists are compiling a synthesis of recent work on biocrusts related to their ecology and management. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
State of Knowledge of Biological Soil Crusts: A synthesis of work to inform land management.

State of Knowledge of Biological Soil Crusts: A synthesis of work to inform land management.

Land and resource managers are increasingly interested in up-to-date information for biocrust conservation and management. To facilitate the use of evolving science by land managers, WERC scientists are compiling a synthesis of recent work on biocrusts related to their ecology and management. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National...
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five horses stand in a sagebrush landscape, with snow-capped mountains in the background

Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States

Researchers at USGS are using historical wild horse survey and monitoring records to conduct a study of horse density across sagebrush ecosystems of the western United States. Researchers will develop generalized density maps for the species that will enhance concurrent evaluations into the ecological effects of wild horse populations.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States

Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States

Researchers at USGS are using historical wild horse survey and monitoring records to conduct a study of horse density across sagebrush ecosystems of the western United States. Researchers will develop generalized density maps for the species that will enhance concurrent evaluations into the ecological effects of wild horse populations.
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Leking Greater sage-grouse and pronghorn male, Twin Springs lek, NV

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Cheat Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to help inform current assessments of sage-grouse population trends at nested spatial and temporal scales. It is centered on four objectives: (1) create a standardized database of lek counts; (2) develop spatial population structures by clustering leks; (3) estimate spatial trends at different temporal...
By
Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Cheat Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Cheat Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to help inform current assessments of sage-grouse population trends at nested spatial and temporal scales. It is centered on four objectives: (1) create a standardized database of lek counts; (2) develop spatial population structures by clustering leks; (3) estimate spatial trends at different temporal...
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Greater sage-grouse silhouette.

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Targeted Annual Warning System Information Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Targeted Annual Warning System Information Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Targeted Annual Warning System Information Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
Learn More
a male greater sage-grouse with ruffled feathers stands in sagebrush

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
Learn More
two birds flapping their wings at each other in a field of sagebrush

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Glossary of Terms

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Glossary of Terms

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Glossary of Terms

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
Learn More
Photo of a lone female Greater Sage-grouse in a field.

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework Data Inputs Information Sheet

To support management decisions, western state wildlife agencies identified the need for a range-wide database that tracks annual counts of greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) at leks (breeding sites), recorded since the early 1950s. Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) worked with state wildlife agencies to 1) construct this...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework Data Inputs Information Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework Data Inputs Information Sheet

To support management decisions, western state wildlife agencies identified the need for a range-wide database that tracks annual counts of greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) at leks (breeding sites), recorded since the early 1950s. Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) worked with state wildlife agencies to 1) construct this...
Learn More
Image: Greater Sage Grouse

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework

Greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) are at the center of state and national land use policies largely because of their unique life-history traits as an ecological indicator for health of sagebrush ecosystems. Researchers within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colorado State University (CSU) worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and state wildlife agencies to develop a...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework

Greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) are at the center of state and national land use policies largely because of their unique life-history traits as an ecological indicator for health of sagebrush ecosystems. Researchers within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colorado State University (CSU) worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and state wildlife agencies to develop a...
Learn More
a bird with feathers splayed flies through a blue sky

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Trends Analysis Information Sheet

Land and wildlife managers require accurate estimates of sensitive species’ trends to help guide conservation decisions that maintain biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems. Accurately assessing greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) population trends can be difficult because (1) missing lek counts or incomplete repeat counts, (2) variation in counts of sage-grouse from...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Trends Analysis Information Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Trends Analysis Information Sheet

Land and wildlife managers require accurate estimates of sensitive species’ trends to help guide conservation decisions that maintain biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems. Accurately assessing greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) population trends can be difficult because (1) missing lek counts or incomplete repeat counts, (2) variation in counts of sage-grouse from...
Learn More
Greater sage-grouse sunrise lek flight

Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations

Long-term wildlife monitoring is imperative for understanding population changes that can inform managers. However, working with population data collected by different organizations, across multiple jurisdictions, and over long time periods can be challenging due to different data management approaches and organizational priorities. Through this project, we aimed to collaborate with eleven state...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wildland Fire Science
Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations

Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations

Long-term wildlife monitoring is imperative for understanding population changes that can inform managers. However, working with population data collected by different organizations, across multiple jurisdictions, and over long time periods can be challenging due to different data management approaches and organizational priorities. Through this project, we aimed to collaborate with eleven state...
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 54

Revised extents of neighborhood and climate population clusters for greater sage-grouse, western U.S. Revised extents of neighborhood and climate population clusters for greater sage-grouse, western U.S.

The authors and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have expanded the greater sage-grouse (GRSG [also referenced as sage-grouse]; Centrocercus urophasianus) hierarchical population units/clusters to ensure inclusion of the proposed revisions (2025) of the BLM habitat management areas (HMAs) in future management implementation decisions. The authors used a consolidated dataset of all GRSG...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Greater Sage-Grouse Survival Encounter Histories and Counts in Association with Precipitation, Temperature, and Drought in the Great Basin, USA Greater Sage-Grouse Survival Encounter Histories and Counts in Association with Precipitation, Temperature, and Drought in the Great Basin, USA

A suite of tables filled with greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) survival data and environmental covariate values, extracted to sage-grouse nest, brood, and general locations, as well as lek locations. We quantified 8 indicators of temperature and/or moisture conditions across time spans representing lags of 0-1.5 years, while accounting for other...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Cattle Habitat Selection Index for the Great Basin region in the western United States Cattle Habitat Selection Index for the Great Basin region in the western United States

We collected cattle GPS location data within three sites across the Great Basin ecoregion. We then coupled these data with multi-resolution remotely sensed vegetation, hydrology, and topographic data to develop a cattle resource selection surface across Nevada and northeastern California. This layer can support grazing management through targeted or rotational grazing by providing a...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Survival of Greater Sage-Grouse Nests and Broods Following Translocation in California, Wyoming, and North Dakota, 2002 - 2019 Survival of Greater Sage-Grouse Nests and Broods Following Translocation in California, Wyoming, and North Dakota, 2002 - 2019

These tables provide observations of sage-grouse, both translocated and not, during the nesting and brooding phases. With respect to nests we include observations of clutch size, egg hatchability, and adult survival during this period. For the brooding period we include both adult and chick survival as well as initial and final brood size. Lastly, we include peak male counts at leks for...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Percent Shrub Cover for the Desatoya Mountains, Nevada, Derived from Worldview-2 and UAS Imagery (2018) Percent Shrub Cover for the Desatoya Mountains, Nevada, Derived from Worldview-2 and UAS Imagery (2018)

Accurate maps of habitat availability for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) across broad extents are of paramount importance to conservation efforts in sagebrush ecosystems across the Great Basin, particularly for habitat assessments and mitigation efforts. However, the ability to model sage-grouse habitat at fine spatial scales necessary for microhabitat assessment is...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Current linear fuel breaks in the sagebrush biome of the western United States (2020) attributed with relevant environmental variables Current linear fuel breaks in the sagebrush biome of the western United States (2020) attributed with relevant environmental variables

Unprecedented wildfire frequency fueled by invasive annual grasses threatens sagebrush habitats. To suppress fire and conserve sagebrush, land management agencies have installed ~10,000 km of fuel breaks across the sagebrush ecosystem. The ecological risks and benefits of creating fuel breaks for wildfire suppression are unquantified but must be balanced to avoid accelerating sagebrush...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Demographic Measurements to Inform a Brood Translocation Integrated Population Model Demographic Measurements to Inform a Brood Translocation Integrated Population Model

Wildlife managers translocate greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) to augment small populations, but translocated sage-grouse often fail to reproduce post-release, sometimes hampering conservation objectives. We performed two distinct sage-grouse translocation projects in California and North Dakota from 2017-2020 and employed two translocation methods at both...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018 Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018

To better inform fuel break planning and assessment, we developed a comprehensive spatial database of known existing fuel breaks from 1953 to 2018 throughout the western United States. Each fuel break is represented as a polygon in the database and is attributed with the date of installation, the treatment type employed, and the data source. The availability of these data promotes the...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021) Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021)

This data release contains a formatted dataset compiled from multiple databases on restoration treatments and environmental conditions from across the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome. With these data, we modeled the influence of environmental conditions and restoration treatments on trends in sagebrush cover using generalized additive models. We then used these models to create maps of...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Communication Towers across the Greater Sage-Grouse Range Communication Towers across the Greater Sage-Grouse Range

We compiled and verified a dataset which represents a comprehensive inventory of communication tower infrastructure across the range of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from 1990 to 2023. Our dataset is an annual spatial time series product that allows users to visualize, assess, and analyze tower locations and duration (i.e., including date of construction through...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030) Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030)

To assess the degree to which transplanting sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) could quickly restore former sage-grouse habitat and the strategies by which greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) habitat restoration is best accomplished, we linked vegetation transitions with habitat selection models to evaluate habitat recovery. Within our modeling extent...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Greater Sage-Grouse Abundance in Sagebrush Focal Areas near Critical Mineral Resources (ver. 2.0, September 2024) Greater Sage-Grouse Abundance in Sagebrush Focal Areas near Critical Mineral Resources (ver. 2.0, September 2024)

We quantified the relative abundance of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations within Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs).
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 141

Greater sage-grouse seasonal habitat associations: A review and considerations for interpretation and management applications Greater sage-grouse seasonal habitat associations: A review and considerations for interpretation and management applications

Habitat features needed by wildlife can change in composition throughout the year, particularly in temperate ecosystems, leading to distinct seasonal spatial-use patterns. Studies of species-habitat associations therefore often focus on understanding relationships within discrete seasonal periods with common goals of prediction (e.g., habitat mapping) and inference (e.g., interpreting...
Authors
Gregory T. Wann, Ashley L. Whipple, Elizabeth Kari Orning, Megan M. McLachlan, Jeffrey L. Beck, Peter S. Coates, Courtney J. Conway, Jonathan B. Dinkins, Aaron N. Johnston, Christian A. Hagen, Paul Makela, David Naugle, Michael A Schroeder, James S. Sedinger, Brett L. Walker, Perry J. Williams, Richard D. Inman, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Conservation translocation immediately reverses decline in imperiled sage-grouse populations Conservation translocation immediately reverses decline in imperiled sage-grouse populations

Conservation translocation (hereafter translocation), the intentional movement of organisms from one location to another as a management tool, can be an extremely useful conservation action to increase the abundance of isolated populations following successful habitat restoration. However, managers seek to weigh the benefits against costs to the source population from which individuals...
Authors
Mary B. Meyerpeter, Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Brian G. Prochazka, Kade D. Lazenby, Steve Abele, John C. Tull, Katherine Miller, Jesse L. Kolar, Steven R. Mathews, David K. Dehlgren, David J. Delehanty
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Ecological trade-offs associated with fuel breaks in the sagebrush ecosystem Ecological trade-offs associated with fuel breaks in the sagebrush ecosystem

BackgroundUnprecedented wildfire frequency, fueled by invasive annual grasses, threatens sagebrush ecosystems. To suppress wildfire and conserve sagebrush, land management agencies have installed fuel breaks across the sagebrush biome. However, despite the potential reduction in wildfire, fuel breaks may have ecological costs. Determining an acceptable balance between risks and benefits...
Authors
Morgan Dake Roche, D. Joanne Saher, Erin K. Buchholtz, Michele R. Crist, Douglas J. Shinneman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Brianne E. Brussee, Peter S. Coates, Cali L. Weise, Julie A. Heinrichs
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Evaluating the sagebrush conservation design through the lens of a sagebrush indicator species Evaluating the sagebrush conservation design through the lens of a sagebrush indicator species

Sagebrush ecosystems support a suite of unique species such as the emblematic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) but are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic stressors such as annual grass invasion, conifer encroachment, altered wildfire regimes, and land use change. We examined the ability of an ecosystem-based framework for sagebrush conservation, the...
Authors
Brian G. Prochazka, Carl Gregory Lundblad, Kevin E. Doherty, Shawn T. O'Neil, John C. Tull, Steve C. Abele, Cameron L. Aldridge, Peter S. Coates
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Cooperative conservation actions improve sage-grouse population performance within the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment Cooperative conservation actions improve sage-grouse population performance within the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment

Developing a robust monitoring framework that integrates efficacy assessments of cooperative conservation and restoration actions in relation to population viability is critical for successful long-term recovery of target ecosystems and species. However, often it is difficult to quantify conservation action efficacy because of the complex, dynamic nature of ecosystem processes and...
Authors
Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Sarah C. Webster, Cali L. Weise, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O'Donnell, Lief A. Wiechman, Kevin E. Doherty, John C. Tull
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome

ContextWidespread ecological degradation has prompted calls for massive global investments in ecological restoration, yet limited resources necessitate efficient application of restoration efforts. In western North America, altered fire regimes are increasing the scale of restoration needed to preserve the sagebrush (Artemisia species) biome but prioritizing and implementing effective...
Authors
Bryan C. Tarbox, Adrian P. Monroe, Michelle Jeffries, Justin L. Welty, Michael S. O'Donnell, Robert Arkle, David S. Pilliod, Peter S. Coates, Julie A. Heinrichs, Daniel Manier, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center

Free-roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage-grouse Free-roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage-grouse

Since the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, federal agencies have been responsible for managing free-roaming equids in the United States. Over the last 20 years, management has been hampered by direct opposition from advocacy groups, budget limitations, and a decline in the public’s willingness to adopt free-roaming horses (Equus caballus). As a result, free...
Authors
Jeffrey L. Beck, Megan C. Milligan, Kurt T. Smith, Phillip A. Street, Aaron C. Pratt, Christopher P. Kirol, Caitlyn P. Wanner, Jacob D. Hennig, Jonathan B. Dinkins, J. Derek Scasta, Peter S. Coates
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Hookworm prevalence in ocelots in Costa Rica is inconsistent with spillover from domestic dogs despite high overlap Hookworm prevalence in ocelots in Costa Rica is inconsistent with spillover from domestic dogs despite high overlap

Spatial overlap between wildlife and related domestic animals can lead to disease transmission, with substantial evidence for viral and bacterial spillover. Domestic and wild animals can also share potentially harmful helminth parasites, many of which have environmental transmission stages that do not require direct contact between hosts. We used camera traps, fecal sampling, and...
Authors
Juan S. Vargas Soto, Katelyn M. Gstic, Natalka A. Melnycky, Julianna G. Johnson, Andrew P. Dobson, Peter S. Coates, Claire J. Standley, Péter K. Molnár
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Modeling the potential habitat gained by planting sagebrush in burned landscapes Modeling the potential habitat gained by planting sagebrush in burned landscapes

Many revegetation projects are intended to benefit wildlife species. Yet, there are few a priori evaluations that assess the potential efficiency of restoration actions in recovering wildlife habitats. We developed a spatial vegetation–habitat recovery model to gauge the degree to which field planting strategies could be expected to recover multi-factor habitat conditions for wildlife...
Authors
Julie A. Heinrichs, Michael S. O'Donnell, Elizabeth Kari Orning, David A. Pyke, Mark A. Ricca, Peter S. Coates, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Geographic principles applied to population dynamics: A spatially interpolated integrated population model Geographic principles applied to population dynamics: A spatially interpolated integrated population model

A major impediment to wildlife conservation and management, from a quantitative perspective, is dealing with high degrees of uncertainty associated with population estimates. Integrated population models (IPMs) can help alleviate that challenge, but they are often limited to narrow spatial or temporal windows owing to the financial and logistical burdens of acquiring requisite datasets...
Authors
Brian G. Prochazka, Peter S. Coates, Shawn T. O'Neil, Shawn P. Espinosa, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Status of greater sage-grouse in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment—An evaluation of population trends, habitat selection, and efficacy of conservation actions Status of greater sage-grouse in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment—An evaluation of population trends, habitat selection, and efficacy of conservation actions

PrefaceThis study was completed to provide timely scientific information regarding greater sage-grouse population trends, habitat selection, and the efficacy of previous conservation actions implemented to benefit the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS). Specifically, we provide these analyses to inform the current (2024) status review and pending listing decision for the DPS...
Authors
Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Brian G. Prochazka, Brianne E. Brussee, Shawn T. O'Neil, Carl G. Lundblad, Sarah C. Webster, Cali L. Weise, Steven R. Mathews, Michael P. Chenaille, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O'Donnell, Shawn P. Espinosa, Amy C. Sturgill, Kevin E. Doherty, John C. Tull, Katherine Miller, Lief A. Wiechman, Steve Abele, John Boone, Heather Stone, Michael L. Casazza
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Season of grazing interacts with soil texture, selecting for associations of biocrust morphogroups Season of grazing interacts with soil texture, selecting for associations of biocrust morphogroups

Livestock grazing, a widespread land use in semi-arid systems, is often placed in opposition to the perpetuation of biological soil crusts (“biocrusts”: lichens, mosses, and algal crusts including cyanobacteria) that live on the soil surface and provide ecosystem functions. The composition of biocrusts and vascular plants varies with climate, soils, and disturbance. In general, ruderal...
Authors
Lea A. Condon, Roger Rosentreter, Kari E. Veblen, Peter S. Coates
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse 1.0.0 Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse 1.0.0

A decision support tool for conifer treatment to restore greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) habitat within the Bi-State, California and Nevada, area. This tool provides a science-based approach for prioritizing pinyon and juniper removal to improve habitat for greater sage-grouse in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment.
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 18

Grazing Management Tool Grazing Management Tool

Science-based grazing management is crucial to preserving and improving rangeland productivity and sagebrush ecosystem health. By adjusting the timing, duration, frequency, and intensity of grazing, managers can contribute to ecosystem services such as fuel reduction and invasive annual grass control. They can also utilize rotational grazing to minimize or mitigate impacts on sensitive...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Code to examine habitat selection and survival of greater sage-grouse in Nevada and northeastern California Code to examine habitat selection and survival of greater sage-grouse in Nevada and northeastern California

This repository centralizes R code used to examine habitat selection and survival of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) during multiple seasons and life stages, utilizing data collected from a wide range of study sites in Nevada and California, USA. The R script "selection_model.R" provides code for a GLMM framework with regularization within a Bayesian modeling environment...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Code for Population and survival models of greater sage-grouse to investigate effects of precipitation and drought in the Great Basin, USA Code for Population and survival models of greater sage-grouse to investigate effects of precipitation and drought in the Great Basin, USA

This repository includes R code to run nest, brood, and adult hierarchical logistic exposure models, used for analyzing survival responses of Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to a suite of environmental covariates, with emphasis on precipitation and/or drought effects. An example population state-space model (the top model according to WAIC; see manuscript results and...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases (version 1.3.0) grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases (version 1.3.0)

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter referred to as sage-grouse) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the West (Hanser & Knick, 2011; Rowland et al., 2006). They occupy the sagebrush biome in western North America, extending east of the Sierra Nevada/Cascade Mountain ranges to the western regions of the Great...
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Fort Collins Science Center

veg_sim: Modeling Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030) veg_sim: Modeling Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030)

To assess the degree to which transplanting sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) could quickly restore former Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) habitat and the strategies by which sage-grouse habitat restoration is best accomplished, we linked vegetation transitions with habitat selection models to evaluate habitat recovery. There are few data-driven...
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Fort Collins Science Center

Code for a spatially interpolated integrated population model applied to simulations of spatially autocorrelated Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population data Code for a spatially interpolated integrated population model applied to simulations of spatially autocorrelated Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population data

This repository contains R code to: 1. Simulate spatially autocorrelated count and demographic data for 10 populations using mean and process variance estimates from a long-term (1938–2011), range-wide meta-analysis of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population dynamics (Taylor et al., 2012). 2. Fit a spatially interpolated integrated population model (SIIPM) to the...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.2.0 grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.2.0

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter referred to as sage-grouse) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the West (Hanser & Knick, 2011; Rowland et al., 2006). They occupy the sagebrush biome in western North America, extending east of the Sierra Nevada/Cascade Mountain ranges to the western regions of the Great...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Code for a hierarchical model of raven densities linked with sage-grouse nest survival to help guide management of subsidized avian predators, version 1.0 Code for a hierarchical model of raven densities linked with sage-grouse nest survival to help guide management of subsidized avian predators, version 1.0

This repository includes R code to conduct hierarchical density surface modeling of common raven (Corvus corax) point count data and hierarchical shared frailty modeling of Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nest fates. The model components are quantitatively linked, such that estimates of raven density from the hierarchical distance sampling component are spatially...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse

The Bi-State conservation planning tool provides a science-based approach for prioritizing pinyon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus osteosperma, J. occidentalis), hereafter, 'conifer', removal to improve habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010). Conifer negatively affects sage...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Code to Examine How the Influence of Fine-Scale Habitat Characteristics on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Nest Site Selection and Nest Survival Varies by Mesic and Xeric Site Conditions version 1.0 Code to Examine How the Influence of Fine-Scale Habitat Characteristics on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Nest Site Selection and Nest Survival Varies by Mesic and Xeric Site Conditions version 1.0

This repository centralizes R code used to examine how the influence of fine-scale habitat characteristics on Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nest site selection and nest survival varies by mesic and xeric site conditions, utilizing data collected from a wide range of study sites in Nevada and California, USA. The R script "nest_selection_model.R" provides code for a GLMM...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

rsgis v1.0 rsgis v1.0

rsgis: A package to facilitate greater sage-grouse management in the western US The rsgis package centralizes several publicly available geospatial datasets that are essential to mapping and modeling for Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) management applications, including important habitat and breeding areas for sage-grouse and political/regional boundaries. To cite the...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

raventools v1.0 raventools v1.0

raventools: A package to facilitate raven management in the western U.S. The raventools package centralizes several publicly available geospatial datasets that are essential to mapping and modeling for common raven (Corvus corax) management applications, including raven occurrence and density data, sensitive species distribution data, raven subsidy data, and Greater sage-grouse...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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...

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New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

Restoration of the imperiled sagebrush biome will require tools that assist resource managers in determining which restoration practices are most...

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USGS Scientists Build New Model of Post-fire Revegetation and Sage-grouse Habitat Restoration

USGS Scientists Build New Model of Post-fire Revegetation and Sage-grouse Habitat Restoration

FORT scientists Beth Orning and Cam Aldridge are co-authors of a new study exploring a modeling approach to evaluate post-fire revegetation and...

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Building maps to help geothermal energy and greater sage-grouse coexist in Nevada’s sagebrush country

Building maps to help geothermal energy and greater sage-grouse coexist in Nevada’s sagebrush country

A U.S. Geological Survey study finds that geothermal energy development contributes to population declines of greater sage-grouse.  A new tool can...

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When Unchecked, Free-Roaming Horse Populations Threaten Greater Sage-Grouse

When Unchecked, Free-Roaming Horse Populations Threaten Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater sage-grouse populations may decline by more than 70% within free-roaming horse-occupied areas by 2034 if horse populations increase unchecked...

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12 Days of Conifers: Pinyon, Juniper, and the Greater Sage-Grouse

12 Days of Conifers: Pinyon, Juniper, and the Greater Sage-Grouse

It’s Day 7 of 12 Days Of Conifers and we’re headed to the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and into the sagebrush country at the edge of the Great...

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Research Spotlight: New Research Indicates that Greater Sage-Grouse are Struggling to Adapt to Wildfire-Induced Changes in the Great Basin

Research Spotlight: New Research Indicates that Greater Sage-Grouse are Struggling to Adapt to Wildfire-Induced Changes in the Great Basin

Research from the USGS and partners concluded that greater sage-grouse in the Great Basin often select nest sites that result in poor nest survival...

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Post-Fire Growth of Seeded and Planted Big Sagebrush – Strategic Designs for Restoring Greater Sage-grouse Nesting Habitat

Post-Fire Growth of Seeded and Planted Big Sagebrush – Strategic Designs for Restoring Greater Sage-grouse Nesting Habitat

Recent wildfire-induced losses of big sagebrush are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial losses in habitat for species such as...

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Research Spotlight: Human Enterprise Brings More Ravens to the Great Basin, Threatening Greater Sage-Grouse

Research Spotlight: Human Enterprise Brings More Ravens to the Great Basin, Threatening Greater Sage-Grouse

A new publication from the US Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center (USGS WERC) and partners finds that ravens present a major risk to...

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Altering Sagebrush Landscapes with Fuel Breaks to Save Them from Wildfire

Altering Sagebrush Landscapes with Fuel Breaks to Save Them from Wildfire

Linear fuel breaks have long been used to help suppress fire in the Great Basin, and thousands of miles of new fuel breaks may be constructed in...

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Cumulative Effects of Wildfire Adversely Affect Greater Sage-Grouse in the Great Basin

Cumulative Effects of Wildfire Adversely Affect Greater Sage-Grouse in the Great Basin

Slowing fire-related population declines in greater sage-grouse in the Great Basin over the next 30 years may depend on the intensity of fire...
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Sac State Ecology Colloquium Connects Students with USGS Researchers

Sac State Ecology Colloquium Connects Students with USGS Researchers

The U.S. Geological Survey has teamed up with California State University, Sacramento to provide students and faculty with an Ecology Colloquium lectu...

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Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 34
two greater sage-grouse face each other in the middle of sagebrush landscape, snow-capped mountains in the background

Estimating locally relevant scales of effect for population trends of a species of conservation concern

Wildlife movement and distribution can be influenced by local conditions like topography and landscape features, and the distances within which species respond to their landscape – scales of effect – can vary over space and time. We are estimating scales of effect for wildlife population trends to help land managers determine the distance within which wildlife will respond to landscape change.
By
Land Change Science Program, Land Management Research Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Estimating locally relevant scales of effect for population trends of a species of conservation concern

Estimating locally relevant scales of effect for population trends of a species of conservation concern

Wildlife movement and distribution can be influenced by local conditions like topography and landscape features, and the distances within which species respond to their landscape – scales of effect – can vary over space and time. We are estimating scales of effect for wildlife population trends to help land managers determine the distance within which wildlife will respond to landscape change.
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a field researcher holds a small piece of biocrust and a spray bottle, shrubs and mountains in the background

Ground-truthing an easy guide to biocrust morphogroups

Land and resource managers are increasingly aware of the contribution of biocrusts to ecological functions and have expressed interest in training and resources to recognize biocrusts in the field. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WERC scientists have drafted a single page, easy guide to...
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
Ground-truthing an easy guide to biocrust morphogroups

Ground-truthing an easy guide to biocrust morphogroups

Land and resource managers are increasingly aware of the contribution of biocrusts to ecological functions and have expressed interest in training and resources to recognize biocrusts in the field. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WERC scientists have drafted a single page, easy guide to...
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a hand with fingerless glove holds a small piece of biocrust

State of Knowledge of Biological Soil Crusts: A synthesis of work to inform land management.

Land and resource managers are increasingly interested in up-to-date information for biocrust conservation and management. To facilitate the use of evolving science by land managers, WERC scientists are compiling a synthesis of recent work on biocrusts related to their ecology and management. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
State of Knowledge of Biological Soil Crusts: A synthesis of work to inform land management.

State of Knowledge of Biological Soil Crusts: A synthesis of work to inform land management.

Land and resource managers are increasingly interested in up-to-date information for biocrust conservation and management. To facilitate the use of evolving science by land managers, WERC scientists are compiling a synthesis of recent work on biocrusts related to their ecology and management. This knowledge will help enable managers to address biocrusts in carrying out analyses under the National...
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five horses stand in a sagebrush landscape, with snow-capped mountains in the background

Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States

Researchers at USGS are using historical wild horse survey and monitoring records to conduct a study of horse density across sagebrush ecosystems of the western United States. Researchers will develop generalized density maps for the species that will enhance concurrent evaluations into the ecological effects of wild horse populations.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States

Mapping wild horse densities across broad landscapes of the Western United States

Researchers at USGS are using historical wild horse survey and monitoring records to conduct a study of horse density across sagebrush ecosystems of the western United States. Researchers will develop generalized density maps for the species that will enhance concurrent evaluations into the ecological effects of wild horse populations.
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Leking Greater sage-grouse and pronghorn male, Twin Springs lek, NV

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Cheat Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to help inform current assessments of sage-grouse population trends at nested spatial and temporal scales. It is centered on four objectives: (1) create a standardized database of lek counts; (2) develop spatial population structures by clustering leks; (3) estimate spatial trends at different temporal...
By
Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Cheat Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Cheat Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to help inform current assessments of sage-grouse population trends at nested spatial and temporal scales. It is centered on four objectives: (1) create a standardized database of lek counts; (2) develop spatial population structures by clustering leks; (3) estimate spatial trends at different temporal...
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Greater sage-grouse silhouette.

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Targeted Annual Warning System Information Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Targeted Annual Warning System Information Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Targeted Annual Warning System Information Sheet

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
Learn More
a male greater sage-grouse with ruffled feathers stands in sagebrush

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Frequently Asked Questions

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
Learn More
two birds flapping their wings at each other in a field of sagebrush

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Glossary of Terms

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Glossary of Terms

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Glossary of Terms

The Greater Sage-grouse Population Monitoring Framework fills a prominent information gap to aid current assessments of sage-grouse population trends across spatial and temporal scales. It centers on four objectives: 1) create a standardized database of lek counts; 2) cluster leks to develop spatial population structures; 3) estimate spatial trends across temporal extents; and 4) develop a system...
Learn More
Photo of a lone female Greater Sage-grouse in a field.

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework Data Inputs Information Sheet

To support management decisions, western state wildlife agencies identified the need for a range-wide database that tracks annual counts of greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) at leks (breeding sites), recorded since the early 1950s. Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) worked with state wildlife agencies to 1) construct this...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework Data Inputs Information Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework Data Inputs Information Sheet

To support management decisions, western state wildlife agencies identified the need for a range-wide database that tracks annual counts of greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) at leks (breeding sites), recorded since the early 1950s. Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) worked with state wildlife agencies to 1) construct this...
Learn More
Image: Greater Sage Grouse

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework

Greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) are at the center of state and national land use policies largely because of their unique life-history traits as an ecological indicator for health of sagebrush ecosystems. Researchers within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colorado State University (CSU) worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and state wildlife agencies to develop a...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wildland Fire Science
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework

Greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) are at the center of state and national land use policies largely because of their unique life-history traits as an ecological indicator for health of sagebrush ecosystems. Researchers within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Colorado State University (CSU) worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and state wildlife agencies to develop a...
Learn More
a bird with feathers splayed flies through a blue sky

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Trends Analysis Information Sheet

Land and wildlife managers require accurate estimates of sensitive species’ trends to help guide conservation decisions that maintain biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems. Accurately assessing greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) population trends can be difficult because (1) missing lek counts or incomplete repeat counts, (2) variation in counts of sage-grouse from...
By
Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Trends Analysis Information Sheet

Greater Sage-Grouse Population Monitoring Framework: Trends Analysis Information Sheet

Land and wildlife managers require accurate estimates of sensitive species’ trends to help guide conservation decisions that maintain biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems. Accurately assessing greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) population trends can be difficult because (1) missing lek counts or incomplete repeat counts, (2) variation in counts of sage-grouse from...
Learn More
Greater sage-grouse sunrise lek flight

Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations

Long-term wildlife monitoring is imperative for understanding population changes that can inform managers. However, working with population data collected by different organizations, across multiple jurisdictions, and over long time periods can be challenging due to different data management approaches and organizational priorities. Through this project, we aimed to collaborate with eleven state...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wildland Fire Science
Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations

Data Harmonization for Greater Sage-Grouse Populations

Long-term wildlife monitoring is imperative for understanding population changes that can inform managers. However, working with population data collected by different organizations, across multiple jurisdictions, and over long time periods can be challenging due to different data management approaches and organizational priorities. Through this project, we aimed to collaborate with eleven state...
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 54

Revised extents of neighborhood and climate population clusters for greater sage-grouse, western U.S. Revised extents of neighborhood and climate population clusters for greater sage-grouse, western U.S.

The authors and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have expanded the greater sage-grouse (GRSG [also referenced as sage-grouse]; Centrocercus urophasianus) hierarchical population units/clusters to ensure inclusion of the proposed revisions (2025) of the BLM habitat management areas (HMAs) in future management implementation decisions. The authors used a consolidated dataset of all GRSG...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Greater Sage-Grouse Survival Encounter Histories and Counts in Association with Precipitation, Temperature, and Drought in the Great Basin, USA Greater Sage-Grouse Survival Encounter Histories and Counts in Association with Precipitation, Temperature, and Drought in the Great Basin, USA

A suite of tables filled with greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) survival data and environmental covariate values, extracted to sage-grouse nest, brood, and general locations, as well as lek locations. We quantified 8 indicators of temperature and/or moisture conditions across time spans representing lags of 0-1.5 years, while accounting for other...
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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Cattle Habitat Selection Index for the Great Basin region in the western United States Cattle Habitat Selection Index for the Great Basin region in the western United States

We collected cattle GPS location data within three sites across the Great Basin ecoregion. We then coupled these data with multi-resolution remotely sensed vegetation, hydrology, and topographic data to develop a cattle resource selection surface across Nevada and northeastern California. This layer can support grazing management through targeted or rotational grazing by providing a...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Survival of Greater Sage-Grouse Nests and Broods Following Translocation in California, Wyoming, and North Dakota, 2002 - 2019 Survival of Greater Sage-Grouse Nests and Broods Following Translocation in California, Wyoming, and North Dakota, 2002 - 2019

These tables provide observations of sage-grouse, both translocated and not, during the nesting and brooding phases. With respect to nests we include observations of clutch size, egg hatchability, and adult survival during this period. For the brooding period we include both adult and chick survival as well as initial and final brood size. Lastly, we include peak male counts at leks for...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Percent Shrub Cover for the Desatoya Mountains, Nevada, Derived from Worldview-2 and UAS Imagery (2018) Percent Shrub Cover for the Desatoya Mountains, Nevada, Derived from Worldview-2 and UAS Imagery (2018)

Accurate maps of habitat availability for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) across broad extents are of paramount importance to conservation efforts in sagebrush ecosystems across the Great Basin, particularly for habitat assessments and mitigation efforts. However, the ability to model sage-grouse habitat at fine spatial scales necessary for microhabitat assessment is...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Current linear fuel breaks in the sagebrush biome of the western United States (2020) attributed with relevant environmental variables Current linear fuel breaks in the sagebrush biome of the western United States (2020) attributed with relevant environmental variables

Unprecedented wildfire frequency fueled by invasive annual grasses threatens sagebrush habitats. To suppress fire and conserve sagebrush, land management agencies have installed ~10,000 km of fuel breaks across the sagebrush ecosystem. The ecological risks and benefits of creating fuel breaks for wildfire suppression are unquantified but must be balanced to avoid accelerating sagebrush...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Demographic Measurements to Inform a Brood Translocation Integrated Population Model Demographic Measurements to Inform a Brood Translocation Integrated Population Model

Wildlife managers translocate greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) to augment small populations, but translocated sage-grouse often fail to reproduce post-release, sometimes hampering conservation objectives. We performed two distinct sage-grouse translocation projects in California and North Dakota from 2017-2020 and employed two translocation methods at both...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018 Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018

To better inform fuel break planning and assessment, we developed a comprehensive spatial database of known existing fuel breaks from 1953 to 2018 throughout the western United States. Each fuel break is represented as a polygon in the database and is attributed with the date of installation, the treatment type employed, and the data source. The availability of these data promotes the...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021) Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021)

This data release contains a formatted dataset compiled from multiple databases on restoration treatments and environmental conditions from across the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome. With these data, we modeled the influence of environmental conditions and restoration treatments on trends in sagebrush cover using generalized additive models. We then used these models to create maps of...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Communication Towers across the Greater Sage-Grouse Range Communication Towers across the Greater Sage-Grouse Range

We compiled and verified a dataset which represents a comprehensive inventory of communication tower infrastructure across the range of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from 1990 to 2023. Our dataset is an annual spatial time series product that allows users to visualize, assess, and analyze tower locations and duration (i.e., including date of construction through...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030) Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030)

To assess the degree to which transplanting sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) could quickly restore former sage-grouse habitat and the strategies by which greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) habitat restoration is best accomplished, we linked vegetation transitions with habitat selection models to evaluate habitat recovery. Within our modeling extent...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Greater Sage-Grouse Abundance in Sagebrush Focal Areas near Critical Mineral Resources (ver. 2.0, September 2024) Greater Sage-Grouse Abundance in Sagebrush Focal Areas near Critical Mineral Resources (ver. 2.0, September 2024)

We quantified the relative abundance of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations within Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs).
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 141

Greater sage-grouse seasonal habitat associations: A review and considerations for interpretation and management applications Greater sage-grouse seasonal habitat associations: A review and considerations for interpretation and management applications

Habitat features needed by wildlife can change in composition throughout the year, particularly in temperate ecosystems, leading to distinct seasonal spatial-use patterns. Studies of species-habitat associations therefore often focus on understanding relationships within discrete seasonal periods with common goals of prediction (e.g., habitat mapping) and inference (e.g., interpreting...
Authors
Gregory T. Wann, Ashley L. Whipple, Elizabeth Kari Orning, Megan M. McLachlan, Jeffrey L. Beck, Peter S. Coates, Courtney J. Conway, Jonathan B. Dinkins, Aaron N. Johnston, Christian A. Hagen, Paul Makela, David Naugle, Michael A Schroeder, James S. Sedinger, Brett L. Walker, Perry J. Williams, Richard D. Inman, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Conservation translocation immediately reverses decline in imperiled sage-grouse populations Conservation translocation immediately reverses decline in imperiled sage-grouse populations

Conservation translocation (hereafter translocation), the intentional movement of organisms from one location to another as a management tool, can be an extremely useful conservation action to increase the abundance of isolated populations following successful habitat restoration. However, managers seek to weigh the benefits against costs to the source population from which individuals...
Authors
Mary B. Meyerpeter, Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Brian G. Prochazka, Kade D. Lazenby, Steve Abele, John C. Tull, Katherine Miller, Jesse L. Kolar, Steven R. Mathews, David K. Dehlgren, David J. Delehanty
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Ecological trade-offs associated with fuel breaks in the sagebrush ecosystem Ecological trade-offs associated with fuel breaks in the sagebrush ecosystem

BackgroundUnprecedented wildfire frequency, fueled by invasive annual grasses, threatens sagebrush ecosystems. To suppress wildfire and conserve sagebrush, land management agencies have installed fuel breaks across the sagebrush biome. However, despite the potential reduction in wildfire, fuel breaks may have ecological costs. Determining an acceptable balance between risks and benefits...
Authors
Morgan Dake Roche, D. Joanne Saher, Erin K. Buchholtz, Michele R. Crist, Douglas J. Shinneman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Brianne E. Brussee, Peter S. Coates, Cali L. Weise, Julie A. Heinrichs
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Evaluating the sagebrush conservation design through the lens of a sagebrush indicator species Evaluating the sagebrush conservation design through the lens of a sagebrush indicator species

Sagebrush ecosystems support a suite of unique species such as the emblematic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) but are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic stressors such as annual grass invasion, conifer encroachment, altered wildfire regimes, and land use change. We examined the ability of an ecosystem-based framework for sagebrush conservation, the...
Authors
Brian G. Prochazka, Carl Gregory Lundblad, Kevin E. Doherty, Shawn T. O'Neil, John C. Tull, Steve C. Abele, Cameron L. Aldridge, Peter S. Coates
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Cooperative conservation actions improve sage-grouse population performance within the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment Cooperative conservation actions improve sage-grouse population performance within the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment

Developing a robust monitoring framework that integrates efficacy assessments of cooperative conservation and restoration actions in relation to population viability is critical for successful long-term recovery of target ecosystems and species. However, often it is difficult to quantify conservation action efficacy because of the complex, dynamic nature of ecosystem processes and...
Authors
Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Sarah C. Webster, Cali L. Weise, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O'Donnell, Lief A. Wiechman, Kevin E. Doherty, John C. Tull
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome

ContextWidespread ecological degradation has prompted calls for massive global investments in ecological restoration, yet limited resources necessitate efficient application of restoration efforts. In western North America, altered fire regimes are increasing the scale of restoration needed to preserve the sagebrush (Artemisia species) biome but prioritizing and implementing effective...
Authors
Bryan C. Tarbox, Adrian P. Monroe, Michelle Jeffries, Justin L. Welty, Michael S. O'Donnell, Robert Arkle, David S. Pilliod, Peter S. Coates, Julie A. Heinrichs, Daniel Manier, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center

Free-roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage-grouse Free-roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage-grouse

Since the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, federal agencies have been responsible for managing free-roaming equids in the United States. Over the last 20 years, management has been hampered by direct opposition from advocacy groups, budget limitations, and a decline in the public’s willingness to adopt free-roaming horses (Equus caballus). As a result, free...
Authors
Jeffrey L. Beck, Megan C. Milligan, Kurt T. Smith, Phillip A. Street, Aaron C. Pratt, Christopher P. Kirol, Caitlyn P. Wanner, Jacob D. Hennig, Jonathan B. Dinkins, J. Derek Scasta, Peter S. Coates
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Hookworm prevalence in ocelots in Costa Rica is inconsistent with spillover from domestic dogs despite high overlap Hookworm prevalence in ocelots in Costa Rica is inconsistent with spillover from domestic dogs despite high overlap

Spatial overlap between wildlife and related domestic animals can lead to disease transmission, with substantial evidence for viral and bacterial spillover. Domestic and wild animals can also share potentially harmful helminth parasites, many of which have environmental transmission stages that do not require direct contact between hosts. We used camera traps, fecal sampling, and...
Authors
Juan S. Vargas Soto, Katelyn M. Gstic, Natalka A. Melnycky, Julianna G. Johnson, Andrew P. Dobson, Peter S. Coates, Claire J. Standley, Péter K. Molnár
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Modeling the potential habitat gained by planting sagebrush in burned landscapes Modeling the potential habitat gained by planting sagebrush in burned landscapes

Many revegetation projects are intended to benefit wildlife species. Yet, there are few a priori evaluations that assess the potential efficiency of restoration actions in recovering wildlife habitats. We developed a spatial vegetation–habitat recovery model to gauge the degree to which field planting strategies could be expected to recover multi-factor habitat conditions for wildlife...
Authors
Julie A. Heinrichs, Michael S. O'Donnell, Elizabeth Kari Orning, David A. Pyke, Mark A. Ricca, Peter S. Coates, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Geographic principles applied to population dynamics: A spatially interpolated integrated population model Geographic principles applied to population dynamics: A spatially interpolated integrated population model

A major impediment to wildlife conservation and management, from a quantitative perspective, is dealing with high degrees of uncertainty associated with population estimates. Integrated population models (IPMs) can help alleviate that challenge, but they are often limited to narrow spatial or temporal windows owing to the financial and logistical burdens of acquiring requisite datasets...
Authors
Brian G. Prochazka, Peter S. Coates, Shawn T. O'Neil, Shawn P. Espinosa, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Status of greater sage-grouse in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment—An evaluation of population trends, habitat selection, and efficacy of conservation actions Status of greater sage-grouse in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment—An evaluation of population trends, habitat selection, and efficacy of conservation actions

PrefaceThis study was completed to provide timely scientific information regarding greater sage-grouse population trends, habitat selection, and the efficacy of previous conservation actions implemented to benefit the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS). Specifically, we provide these analyses to inform the current (2024) status review and pending listing decision for the DPS...
Authors
Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Brian G. Prochazka, Brianne E. Brussee, Shawn T. O'Neil, Carl G. Lundblad, Sarah C. Webster, Cali L. Weise, Steven R. Mathews, Michael P. Chenaille, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O'Donnell, Shawn P. Espinosa, Amy C. Sturgill, Kevin E. Doherty, John C. Tull, Katherine Miller, Lief A. Wiechman, Steve Abele, John Boone, Heather Stone, Michael L. Casazza
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Season of grazing interacts with soil texture, selecting for associations of biocrust morphogroups Season of grazing interacts with soil texture, selecting for associations of biocrust morphogroups

Livestock grazing, a widespread land use in semi-arid systems, is often placed in opposition to the perpetuation of biological soil crusts (“biocrusts”: lichens, mosses, and algal crusts including cyanobacteria) that live on the soil surface and provide ecosystem functions. The composition of biocrusts and vascular plants varies with climate, soils, and disturbance. In general, ruderal...
Authors
Lea A. Condon, Roger Rosentreter, Kari E. Veblen, Peter S. Coates
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse 1.0.0 Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse 1.0.0

A decision support tool for conifer treatment to restore greater sage-grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) habitat within the Bi-State, California and Nevada, area. This tool provides a science-based approach for prioritizing pinyon and juniper removal to improve habitat for greater sage-grouse in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment.
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 18

Grazing Management Tool Grazing Management Tool

Science-based grazing management is crucial to preserving and improving rangeland productivity and sagebrush ecosystem health. By adjusting the timing, duration, frequency, and intensity of grazing, managers can contribute to ecosystem services such as fuel reduction and invasive annual grass control. They can also utilize rotational grazing to minimize or mitigate impacts on sensitive...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Code to examine habitat selection and survival of greater sage-grouse in Nevada and northeastern California Code to examine habitat selection and survival of greater sage-grouse in Nevada and northeastern California

This repository centralizes R code used to examine habitat selection and survival of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) during multiple seasons and life stages, utilizing data collected from a wide range of study sites in Nevada and California, USA. The R script "selection_model.R" provides code for a GLMM framework with regularization within a Bayesian modeling environment...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Code for Population and survival models of greater sage-grouse to investigate effects of precipitation and drought in the Great Basin, USA Code for Population and survival models of greater sage-grouse to investigate effects of precipitation and drought in the Great Basin, USA

This repository includes R code to run nest, brood, and adult hierarchical logistic exposure models, used for analyzing survival responses of Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to a suite of environmental covariates, with emphasis on precipitation and/or drought effects. An example population state-space model (the top model according to WAIC; see manuscript results and...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases (version 1.3.0) grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases (version 1.3.0)

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter referred to as sage-grouse) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the West (Hanser & Knick, 2011; Rowland et al., 2006). They occupy the sagebrush biome in western North America, extending east of the Sierra Nevada/Cascade Mountain ranges to the western regions of the Great...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

veg_sim: Modeling Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030) veg_sim: Modeling Greater sage-grouse habitat suitability 15-years post simulated fire event and sagebrush transplanting (2015-2030)

To assess the degree to which transplanting sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) could quickly restore former Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) habitat and the strategies by which sage-grouse habitat restoration is best accomplished, we linked vegetation transitions with habitat selection models to evaluate habitat recovery. There are few data-driven...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Code for a spatially interpolated integrated population model applied to simulations of spatially autocorrelated Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population data Code for a spatially interpolated integrated population model applied to simulations of spatially autocorrelated Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population data

This repository contains R code to: 1. Simulate spatially autocorrelated count and demographic data for 10 populations using mean and process variance estimates from a long-term (1938–2011), range-wide meta-analysis of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population dynamics (Taylor et al., 2012). 2. Fit a spatially interpolated integrated population model (SIIPM) to the...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.2.0 grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.2.0

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter referred to as sage-grouse) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the West (Hanser & Knick, 2011; Rowland et al., 2006). They occupy the sagebrush biome in western North America, extending east of the Sierra Nevada/Cascade Mountain ranges to the western regions of the Great...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Code for a hierarchical model of raven densities linked with sage-grouse nest survival to help guide management of subsidized avian predators, version 1.0 Code for a hierarchical model of raven densities linked with sage-grouse nest survival to help guide management of subsidized avian predators, version 1.0

This repository includes R code to conduct hierarchical density surface modeling of common raven (Corvus corax) point count data and hierarchical shared frailty modeling of Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nest fates. The model components are quantitatively linked, such that estimates of raven density from the hierarchical distance sampling component are spatially...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Planning Tool for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-grouse

The Bi-State conservation planning tool provides a science-based approach for prioritizing pinyon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus osteosperma, J. occidentalis), hereafter, 'conifer', removal to improve habitat for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2010). Conifer negatively affects sage...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Code to Examine How the Influence of Fine-Scale Habitat Characteristics on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Nest Site Selection and Nest Survival Varies by Mesic and Xeric Site Conditions version 1.0 Code to Examine How the Influence of Fine-Scale Habitat Characteristics on Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Nest Site Selection and Nest Survival Varies by Mesic and Xeric Site Conditions version 1.0

This repository centralizes R code used to examine how the influence of fine-scale habitat characteristics on Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nest site selection and nest survival varies by mesic and xeric site conditions, utilizing data collected from a wide range of study sites in Nevada and California, USA. The R script "nest_selection_model.R" provides code for a GLMM...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

rsgis v1.0 rsgis v1.0

rsgis: A package to facilitate greater sage-grouse management in the western US The rsgis package centralizes several publicly available geospatial datasets that are essential to mapping and modeling for Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) management applications, including important habitat and breeding areas for sage-grouse and political/regional boundaries. To cite the...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

raventools v1.0 raventools v1.0

raventools: A package to facilitate raven management in the western U.S. The raventools package centralizes several publicly available geospatial datasets that are essential to mapping and modeling for common raven (Corvus corax) management applications, including raven occurrence and density data, sensitive species distribution data, raven subsidy data, and Greater sage-grouse...
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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...

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New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

Restoration of the imperiled sagebrush biome will require tools that assist resource managers in determining which restoration practices are most...

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USGS Scientists Build New Model of Post-fire Revegetation and Sage-grouse Habitat Restoration

USGS Scientists Build New Model of Post-fire Revegetation and Sage-grouse Habitat Restoration

FORT scientists Beth Orning and Cam Aldridge are co-authors of a new study exploring a modeling approach to evaluate post-fire revegetation and...

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Building maps to help geothermal energy and greater sage-grouse coexist in Nevada’s sagebrush country

Building maps to help geothermal energy and greater sage-grouse coexist in Nevada’s sagebrush country

A U.S. Geological Survey study finds that geothermal energy development contributes to population declines of greater sage-grouse.  A new tool can...

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When Unchecked, Free-Roaming Horse Populations Threaten Greater Sage-Grouse

When Unchecked, Free-Roaming Horse Populations Threaten Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater sage-grouse populations may decline by more than 70% within free-roaming horse-occupied areas by 2034 if horse populations increase unchecked...

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12 Days of Conifers: Pinyon, Juniper, and the Greater Sage-Grouse

12 Days of Conifers: Pinyon, Juniper, and the Greater Sage-Grouse

It’s Day 7 of 12 Days Of Conifers and we’re headed to the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and into the sagebrush country at the edge of the Great...

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Research Spotlight: New Research Indicates that Greater Sage-Grouse are Struggling to Adapt to Wildfire-Induced Changes in the Great Basin

Research Spotlight: New Research Indicates that Greater Sage-Grouse are Struggling to Adapt to Wildfire-Induced Changes in the Great Basin

Research from the USGS and partners concluded that greater sage-grouse in the Great Basin often select nest sites that result in poor nest survival...

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Post-Fire Growth of Seeded and Planted Big Sagebrush – Strategic Designs for Restoring Greater Sage-grouse Nesting Habitat

Post-Fire Growth of Seeded and Planted Big Sagebrush – Strategic Designs for Restoring Greater Sage-grouse Nesting Habitat

Recent wildfire-induced losses of big sagebrush are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial losses in habitat for species such as...

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Research Spotlight: Human Enterprise Brings More Ravens to the Great Basin, Threatening Greater Sage-Grouse

Research Spotlight: Human Enterprise Brings More Ravens to the Great Basin, Threatening Greater Sage-Grouse

A new publication from the US Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center (USGS WERC) and partners finds that ravens present a major risk to...

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Altering Sagebrush Landscapes with Fuel Breaks to Save Them from Wildfire

Altering Sagebrush Landscapes with Fuel Breaks to Save Them from Wildfire

Linear fuel breaks have long been used to help suppress fire in the Great Basin, and thousands of miles of new fuel breaks may be constructed in...

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Cumulative Effects of Wildfire Adversely Affect Greater Sage-Grouse in the Great Basin

Cumulative Effects of Wildfire Adversely Affect Greater Sage-Grouse in the Great Basin

Slowing fire-related population declines in greater sage-grouse in the Great Basin over the next 30 years may depend on the intensity of fire...
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Sac State Ecology Colloquium Connects Students with USGS Researchers

Sac State Ecology Colloquium Connects Students with USGS Researchers

The U.S. Geological Survey has teamed up with California State University, Sacramento to provide students and faculty with an Ecology Colloquium lectu...

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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

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