Using a solutions-oriented, multi-agency collaboration, we propose to pilot a large-scale assessment of an alternative (herding, electric- and virtual-fence) grazing strategy designed to mimic pre-colonial grazing patterns by bison, to ascertain their value for local- and regional-scale assemblages ofsagebrush- and grassland-associated birds in Montana. A fundamental goal of most wildlife-based grazing programs is to foster a mosaic of patches that represent the broadest possible spectrum of habitat types that benefits different sagebrush- and grassland-associated birds in different parts of the landscape (for example, western meadowlarks, vesper sparrows, and thick-billed longspur in open, heavily grazed areas; and Bairds Sparrow and Brewers Sparrow in areas with greater vegetative biomass and greater structural complexity). Passive (= open-range) and traditional grazing systems (which use the same rotational strategy or infrastructure to create simple repetitive patterns in grazing) allow livestock to congregate in localized areas (e.g., near water sources), often causing ecological degradation at small spatial extent while much of the landscape experiences little to no grazing pressure. We will measure community-level (abundance, species richness, diversity indices, Hill series) metrics to evaluate alternative grazing strategies that will help wildlife managers from multiple agencies meet wildlife-based goals to conserve at-risk birds and their habitats, along with benefits to producers through better utilization.
