Preliminary Analysis of Greater Sage-Grouse Reproduction in the Virginia Mountains of Northwestern Nevada (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781497350885)

Relationships between habitat selection and population vital rates of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse), recently designated as a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act, within the Great Basin are not well-understood. The growing development of renewable energy infrastructure within areas inhabited by sage-grouse is thought to influence predator and vegetation communities. For example, common ravens (Corvus corax), a synanthropic sage-grouse nest predator, are increasing range-wide and select transmission lines and other tall structures for nesting and perching. In the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada, we collected preliminary information of space-use, habitat selection, and population vital rates during the nesting and brood-rearing period over two years on 56 sage-grouse. Additionally, videography at nest sites (n = 22) was used to identify sage-grouse nest predators. The study area is a potential site for renewable energy developments (i.e., wind and solar), and we plan to continue monitoring this population using a beforeafter- control-impact study design. The results reported here are preliminary and further data is required before conclusions can be drawn from this population of sage-grouse.

Author: U. S. Department of the Interior
ISBN-10: 1497350883
ISBN-13: 9781497350885
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Language: English
Published: 03/30/2014
Pages: 40
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.26lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.08d