Greater Sage-grouse natal dispersal and brood augmentation with captive-reared chicks

Greater Sage-grouse natal dispersal and brood augmentation with captive-reared chicks

In response to population declines, recent research on greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) has focused on the population ecology, habitat relationships, and response to management practices by this species. However, the mechanisms, patterns, and consequences of movements between seasonal habitats, especially by juveniles during natal dispersal, and the effects of this movement on survival, recruitment, the redistribution of individuals, as well as the population dynamics within and between populations remains largely unknown. Quantifiable data and information on juvenile dispersal and survival in the greater sage-grouse is one of the least understood aspects of this species’ life history. Dispersal patterns and recruitment processes of juvenile sage-grouse, as well the landscape characteristics that influence and contribute to these movements remain lacking. Knowledge of the dispersal ecology (timing, distances moved, frequency and rate of movement, immigration and emigration rates within and between populations, and juvenile survivorship) will provide better information on how to manage this species at the landscape level, as well as within and between populations. This information will be useful in attempting to improve and plan for the conservation and management of this species as its habitat becomes more fragmented and altered. The objectives of our study were to 1) determine the sex-specific movement patterns of juvenile sage-grouse during natal dispersal including timing, duration, rate of movement, distances moved and recruitment rate, 2) determine the effects of these dispersal patterns on survival rates and causes of mortality, 3) determine how landscape structure influences both the movement patterns and survival of juveniles during this period, 4) verify and evaluate the mechanisms and conditions of adoption in wild broods through the introduction of domestically-hatched chicks and observation of natural adoption rates, 5) assess the movement patterns and survivorship of successfully adopted domestically-hatched 2 and 7 day-old chicks from the natal area of the surrogate brood to chick independence and brood break-up (approximately 10 weeks of age), and 6) compare the movement patterns and survivorship of domestically-hatched chicks with the movement patterns and survivorship of wild-hatched chicks in mixed and unmixed broods from the natal area of the surrogate brood to chick independence and brood break-up. The study areas were located in the Axial Basin and Cold Springs Mountain in northwestern Colorado from 2005 – 2007. The project field research and final report is complete and we continue in the publication phase of this research project.

Apa, Anthony D.

Greater sage-grouse

Wildlife management

5 pages

2015-11

Text

application/pdf

English