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Steven E Hanser

Since 2019, Steve has provided leadership at the Fort Collins Science Center as the Deputy Center Director. He has been acting as Center Director since April 2025.

Steve's work has focused on developing science, information, and tools in coordination with Department of the Interior, DOI bureaus, State wildlife agencies, and other partners. He has led or helped facilitate efforts to strengthen interagency coordination, identify multiagency research priorities, develop high-profile information syntheses, improve outreach and communication efforts, and enhance multiagency data sharing tools.

Professional Experience

  • Center Director (Acting), Fort Collins Science Center, U. S. Geological Survey, Ft. Collins, CO: April 2025 - Present

  • Deputy Center Director, Fort Collins Science Center, U. S. Geological Survey, Ft. Collins, CO: June 2019 - Present

  • Chief, Social and Economic Analysis Branch (Acting), U. S. Geological Survey, Ft. Collins, CO: December 2024 - Present

  • Chief, Invasive Species Science Branch, U. S. Geological Survey, Ft. Collins, CO: July 2022 - December 2024

  • Chief, Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics Research Branch (Acting), U. S. Geological Survey, Ft. Collins, CO: July 2019 - January 2022

  • Chief, Decision Support Science and Tools Branch (Acting), U. S. Geological Survey, Ft. Collins, CO: April 2019 - June 2020

  • Sagebrush Ecosystem Program Specialist (Acting), U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA: June 2019 - Sept 2019

  • Sagebrush Ecosystem Program Specialist, U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA: January 2015 – June 2019

  • Wildland Fire Science Coordinator (Acting), U. S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA: July 2014 - Oct 2014

  • Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Boise, ID: 2002-2015

  • Biological Science Technician, U.S. Geological Survey, Boise, ID: 2002

  • GIS Intern, City of Pocatello, Pocatello, ID: 2002

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID: 1999–2002

  • Research Technician, Iowa State University, Ames, IA: 1998-1999

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant, Iowa Cooperative Research Unit, Ames, IA: 1998-1999

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Biology, Idaho State University, 2002

  • Geotechnologies Post-baccalaureate Certification, Idaho State University, 2002

  • B.S. Biology, Iowa State University, 1999

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 32
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...
Learn More
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
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
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
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
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
Filter Total Items: 16

popcluster: hierarchical population monitoring frameworks, Version 2.0.0 popcluster: hierarchical population monitoring frameworks, Version 2.0.0

We developed a method to construct hierarchically nested and biologically relevant groupings of similar habitats associated with field surveys while considering structure/connectedness (movements between habitats). This approach can support mobile species using high fidelity sites where monitoring during surveys occurs, such as birthing grounds, breeding grounds, or stopovers/seasonal...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.1.0 grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.1.0

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the western United States. 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 Plains of the United States. Sage-grouse are one of the most...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures

We present software that creates least-cost path spanning trees, a least-cost path minimum spanning tree, and graph theory centrality measures. The software was developed to support identification of population structures--specifically, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), but also support other species or graph theory applications where least-cost paths are desired. We used...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States) Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States)

We present five hierarchical demarcations of greater sage-grouse population structure, representing the spatial structure of populations which can exist due to differences in dispersal abilities, landscape configurations, and mating behavior. These demarcations represent Thiessen polygons of graph constructs (least-cost path [LCP] minimum spanning trees [MST; LCP-MST]) representing...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Agricultural Land Cover in the Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment area Agricultural Land Cover in the Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment area

Location of agricultural land cover obtained from the LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Type dataset.
By
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the western United States. 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 Plains of the United States. Sage-grouse are one of the most...
By
Fort Collins Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 62

A targeted annual warning system developed for the conservation of a sagebrush indicator species A targeted annual warning system developed for the conservation of a sagebrush indicator species

A fundamental goal of population ecologists is to identify drivers responsible for temporal variation in abundance. Understanding whether variation is associated with environmental stochasticity or anthropogenic disturbances, which are more amenable to management action, is crucial yet difficult to achieve. Here, we present a hierarchical monitoring framework that models rates of change...
Authors
Brian G. Prochazka, Peter S. Coates, Michael S. O’Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Adrian P. Monroe, Mark A. Ricca, Gregory T. Wann, Steve E. Hanser, Lief A. Wiechman, Kevin E. Doherty, Michael P. Chenaille, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment — Sagebrush and sage-grouse topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment — Sagebrush and sage-grouse topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Matthew J Holloran, Christopher R. Anthony, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Restoration topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Restoration topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are substantial management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Christopher R. Anthony, Matthew J Holloran, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment—Fire topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment—Fire topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Matthew J Holloran, Christopher R. Anthony, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Invasives topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Invasives topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Christopher R. Anthony, Matthew J Holloran, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2021 Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2021

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. This updated population trend analysis provides state and federal land and wildlife managers with best-available science to help guide current management and...
Authors
Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O’Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Adrian P. Monroe, Steve E. Hanser, Lief A. Wiechman, Michael P. Chenaille
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Non-USGS Publications**

Hanser, S.E., 2001. The Diversity and Abundance of Small Mammals in Sage-steppe Habitat Fragments Within Agricultural and Lava-flow Matrices (Master Thesis, Idaho State University).
Hanser, S.E. and Huntly, N.J., 2006. The biogeography of small mammals of fragmented sagebrush-steppe landscapes. Journal of Mammalogy, 87(6), pp.1165-1174.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

popcluster: Developing Hierarchical Population Monitoring Frameworks for mobile species with high site fidelity popcluster: Developing Hierarchical Population Monitoring Frameworks for mobile species with high site fidelity

The software "popcluster" constructs hierarchically nested groupings of similar habitats associated with field surveys while considering biological structure/connectedness (movements between habitats). This approach can support mobile species with high site fidelity where monitoring during surveys occurs on birthing grounds, breeding grounds, or stopovers/seasonal habitat for migratory...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Filter Total Items: 27
FORT Science in Action, Part 15: Bat science in support of food and economic security

FORT Science in Action, Part 15: Bat science in support of food and economic security

A deadly fungus is causing large declines in hibernating bats around the world. Detailed life history information can support wildlife managers in...

Read Article
FORT Science in Action, Part 14: Science, leadership, and innovative technical solutions for efficient decision-making

FORT Science in Action, Part 14: Science, leadership, and innovative technical solutions for efficient decision-making

FORT’s Ecoinformatics and Wildlife Technology (ECOTECH) Branch works closely with state, federal, tribal, and nongovernmental partners to address...

Read Article
FORT Science in Action, Part 13: Predictive genetic tools for guiding resource management

FORT Science in Action, Part 13: Predictive genetic tools for guiding resource management

FORT scientists developed a flexible simulation model to predict the genetic consequences of planned, proposed, or previously implemented management...

Read Article
FORT Science in Action, Part 12: A decision optimization tool to facilitate efficient and effective sagebrush ecosystem management

FORT Science in Action, Part 12: A decision optimization tool to facilitate efficient and effective sagebrush ecosystem management

Sagebrush ecosystems represent one of the most imperiled biomes in North America. To guide strategic conservation efforts and help land managers...

Read Article
FORT Science in Action, Part 11: Understanding fire history to inform current wildfire and fuels management

FORT Science in Action, Part 11: Understanding fire history to inform current wildfire and fuels management

Wildfires in the United States are increasing in size and severity, impacting lives, property, public health, ecosystems, and ecosystems services...

Read Article
FORT Science in Action, Part 10: Valuing the economic benefits of recreation on public lands

FORT Science in Action, Part 10: Valuing the economic benefits of recreation on public lands

The value people get from public lands goes beyond the billions of dollars spent each year on travel, entrance fees, licenses, and equipment for...

Read Article

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 32
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...
Learn More
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
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
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
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
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
Filter Total Items: 16

popcluster: hierarchical population monitoring frameworks, Version 2.0.0 popcluster: hierarchical population monitoring frameworks, Version 2.0.0

We developed a method to construct hierarchically nested and biologically relevant groupings of similar habitats associated with field surveys while considering structure/connectedness (movements between habitats). This approach can support mobile species using high fidelity sites where monitoring during surveys occurs, such as birthing grounds, breeding grounds, or stopovers/seasonal...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.1.0 grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases, version 1.1.0

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the western United States. 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 Plains of the United States. Sage-grouse are one of the most...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures

We present software that creates least-cost path spanning trees, a least-cost path minimum spanning tree, and graph theory centrality measures. The software was developed to support identification of population structures--specifically, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), but also support other species or graph theory applications where least-cost paths are desired. We used...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States) Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States)

We present five hierarchical demarcations of greater sage-grouse population structure, representing the spatial structure of populations which can exist due to differences in dispersal abilities, landscape configurations, and mating behavior. These demarcations represent Thiessen polygons of graph constructs (least-cost path [LCP] minimum spanning trees [MST; LCP-MST]) representing...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Agricultural Land Cover in the Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment area Agricultural Land Cover in the Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment area

Location of agricultural land cover obtained from the LANDFIRE Existing Vegetation Type dataset.
By
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases grsg_lekdb: Compiling and standardizing greater sage-grouse lek databases

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are landscape-scale sagebrush obligate species and an important gamebird and iconic species of the western United States. 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 Plains of the United States. Sage-grouse are one of the most...
By
Fort Collins Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 62

A targeted annual warning system developed for the conservation of a sagebrush indicator species A targeted annual warning system developed for the conservation of a sagebrush indicator species

A fundamental goal of population ecologists is to identify drivers responsible for temporal variation in abundance. Understanding whether variation is associated with environmental stochasticity or anthropogenic disturbances, which are more amenable to management action, is crucial yet difficult to achieve. Here, we present a hierarchical monitoring framework that models rates of change...
Authors
Brian G. Prochazka, Peter S. Coates, Michael S. O’Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Adrian P. Monroe, Mark A. Ricca, Gregory T. Wann, Steve E. Hanser, Lief A. Wiechman, Kevin E. Doherty, Michael P. Chenaille, Cameron L. Aldridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment — Sagebrush and sage-grouse topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment — Sagebrush and sage-grouse topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Matthew J Holloran, Christopher R. Anthony, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Restoration topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Restoration topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are substantial management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Christopher R. Anthony, Matthew J Holloran, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment—Fire topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment—Fire topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Matthew J Holloran, Christopher R. Anthony, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Invasives topic, 2015–20 Integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan completion assessment: Invasives topic, 2015–20

Loss and degradation of sagebrush rangelands due to an accelerated invasive annual grass-wildfire cycle and other stressors are significant management, conservation, and economic issues in the western United States. These sagebrush rangelands comprise a unique biome spanning 11 states, support over 350 wildlife species, and provide important ecosystem services that include stabilizing...
Authors
Christopher R. Anthony, Matthew J Holloran, Mark A. Ricca, Steven E. Hanser, Sue L. Phillips, Paul F. Steblein, Lief A. Wiechman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2021 Range-wide population trend analysis for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)—Updated 1960–2021

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. This updated population trend analysis provides state and federal land and wildlife managers with best-available science to help guide current management and...
Authors
Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael S. O’Donnell, David R. Edmunds, Adrian P. Monroe, Steve E. Hanser, Lief A. Wiechman, Michael P. Chenaille
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Non-USGS Publications**

Hanser, S.E., 2001. The Diversity and Abundance of Small Mammals in Sage-steppe Habitat Fragments Within Agricultural and Lava-flow Matrices (Master Thesis, Idaho State University).
Hanser, S.E. and Huntly, N.J., 2006. The biogeography of small mammals of fragmented sagebrush-steppe landscapes. Journal of Mammalogy, 87(6), pp.1165-1174.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

popcluster: Developing Hierarchical Population Monitoring Frameworks for mobile species with high site fidelity popcluster: Developing Hierarchical Population Monitoring Frameworks for mobile species with high site fidelity

The software "popcluster" constructs hierarchically nested groupings of similar habitats associated with field surveys while considering biological structure/connectedness (movements between habitats). This approach can support mobile species with high site fidelity where monitoring during surveys occurs on birthing grounds, breeding grounds, or stopovers/seasonal habitat for migratory...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Filter Total Items: 27
FORT Science in Action, Part 15: Bat science in support of food and economic security

FORT Science in Action, Part 15: Bat science in support of food and economic security

A deadly fungus is causing large declines in hibernating bats around the world. Detailed life history information can support wildlife managers in...

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FORT Science in Action, Part 14: Science, leadership, and innovative technical solutions for efficient decision-making

FORT Science in Action, Part 14: Science, leadership, and innovative technical solutions for efficient decision-making

FORT’s Ecoinformatics and Wildlife Technology (ECOTECH) Branch works closely with state, federal, tribal, and nongovernmental partners to address...

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FORT Science in Action, Part 13: Predictive genetic tools for guiding resource management

FORT Science in Action, Part 13: Predictive genetic tools for guiding resource management

FORT scientists developed a flexible simulation model to predict the genetic consequences of planned, proposed, or previously implemented management...

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FORT Science in Action, Part 12: A decision optimization tool to facilitate efficient and effective sagebrush ecosystem management

FORT Science in Action, Part 12: A decision optimization tool to facilitate efficient and effective sagebrush ecosystem management

Sagebrush ecosystems represent one of the most imperiled biomes in North America. To guide strategic conservation efforts and help land managers...

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FORT Science in Action, Part 11: Understanding fire history to inform current wildfire and fuels management

FORT Science in Action, Part 11: Understanding fire history to inform current wildfire and fuels management

Wildfires in the United States are increasing in size and severity, impacting lives, property, public health, ecosystems, and ecosystems services...

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FORT Science in Action, Part 10: Valuing the economic benefits of recreation on public lands

FORT Science in Action, Part 10: Valuing the economic benefits of recreation on public lands

The value people get from public lands goes beyond the billions of dollars spent each year on travel, entrance fees, licenses, and equipment for...

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