We will apply indices of sagebrush ecological integrity, developed by WAFWA, to hierarchical population models of sage-grouse population rates of change over multiple decades to facilitate comprehensive understanding of the links between sagebrush ecosystem health and sagebrush obligate species from the lens of the Conservation Design Strategy. This research will investigate application of core area habitat concepts as it relates to sage-grouse population performance to manage lands within the sagebrush biome. The analysis framework and science deliverables developed from this study can be used as a basis to investigate the population performance of additional species of concern, beyond sage-grouse, in relation to Core Sagebrush Areas (CSAs), Growth Opportunity Areas (GOAs), and Highly Impacted Areas (HIAs) that have been delineated by WAFWAs Conservation Design Strategy (CDS) for the sagebrush biome. Quantitative evidence of the validity of sagebrush ecological integrity indices is necessary to support the continued development and application of core area concepts to preserve and improve habitat conditions for multiple species spanning the sagebrush biome.
