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David Musil

The distribution of the greater sage-grouse (hereafter sage-grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus) has declined to 56% of its pre-settlement distribution (Schroeder et al. 2004) and abundance of males attending leks has decreased substantially over the past 50 years throughout the species’ range (Garton et al. 2011, Garton et al. 2015, WAFWA 2015). Livestock grazing is a common land use within sage-grouse habitat, and livestock grazing has been implicated by some experts as one of numerous factors contributing to sage-grouse population declines (Beck and Mitchell 2000, Schroeder et al. 2004). However, there are also numerous mechanisms by which livestock grazing might benefit sage-grouse (Beck and Mitchell 2000, Crawford...
The distribution of the greater sage-grouse (hereafter sage-grouse; Centrocercus urophasianus) has declined to 56% of its pre-settlement distribution (Schroeder et al. 2004) and abundance of males attending leks has decreased substantially over the past 50 years throughout the species’ range (Garton et al. 2011, Garton et al. 2015). Livestock grazing is a common land use in the sagebrush ecosystems that support sage-grouse, and livestock grazing has been implicated by some experts as one of numerous factors contributing to sage-grouse population declines (Beck and Mitchell 2000, Schroeder et al. 2004). However, there are also numerous mechanisms by which livestock grazing might benefit sage-grouse (Beck and Mitchell...
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Protocols for assessing impacts of wind energy development on greater sage-grouse
These protocols are intended to identify key questions to be addressed, preferred approaches to addressing these questions, and issues likely to be encountered by scientists studying impacts of wind energy development on sage-grouse. I discuss advantages and disadvantages of possible study designs. A full BACI (Before After Control Impact) design with five years of preconstruction data and at least five years of post-construction data that estimates fundamental demographic parameters and habitat selection over a distance gradient from wind facilities provides the strongest design. Research proposals considered for funding by the GS3C-Sage-Grouse Collaborative will be evaluated based on their abilities to adhere...
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Effects of cattle grazing on sagebrush-obligate and sagebrush-dependent birds
This project expands upon a large, multi-agency collaborative study (Univ. of Idaho, Idaho Game and Fish, BLM, Great Basin LCC & two grazing Associations) evaluating the impacts of alternative grazing systems on sage-grouse over a 10-year period using a staggered entry BACI design. This project will evaluate the effects of grazing management prescriptions (intended to be compatible with greater sage-grouse) on other sagebrush-obligate or associated avian species. The results will contribute to an adaptive management process by: 1) assessing current state of populations of sagebrush-dependent birds as well as limiting factors, 2) compilation of models describing population-habitat relationships that can lead to species-habitat...
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Effects of Spring Cattle Grazing on Sage-grouse Demographic Traits
FY2016Develop and utilize both correlative and experimental approaches to evaluate effects of different intensities of spring cattle grazing on sage-grouse habitat selection, insect abundance, and sage-grouse demographic and behavioral traits. Collect data and document the effects of different levels of spring cattle grazing intensity on:1) sage-grouse demographic traits; 2) abundance and biomass of arthropods; 3) sage-grouse nest concealment and other vegetation/habitat features.Analyze the relationship between cattle grazing and sage-grouse demography at multiple spatial scales and evaluate the effects of experimental changes in cattle grazing on sage-grouse reproductive parameters.
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