https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/b573af8fcfe38bd1945394104f925657.pdf ed801cf4d284056c36c0a3205f71cb74 PDF Text Text COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE - AVIAN RESEARCH PROGRAM Progress Report November 2015 TITLE: Greater Sage-grouse natal dispersal and brood augmentation with captive-reared chicks AUTHOR: Anthony D. Apa PROJECT PERSONNEL: T. R. Thompson and K. P. Reese, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID Period Covered: March 1, 2005 – November 1, 2015 All information in this report is preliminary and subject to further evaluation. Information MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED OR QUOTED without permission of the author. Manipulation of these data beyond that contained in this report is discouraged. PROJECT ABSTRACT 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. �Objectives 4, 5, and 6 Captive rearing sage-grouse for augmentation of surrogate wild broods: evidence for success Abstract-Both species of North American sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) have experienced declines in distribution and abundance. Translocation of adult birds from a stable population to a small or declining population has been a management tool used by wildlife managers to support population persistence in these areas. Captive rearing chicks and releasing them into wild surrogate broods is an untested alternative to augment declining populations of sage-grouse. We developed techniques to successfully rear sage-grouse chicks in captivity, evaluated explanatory variables that could influence hatch and captive-rearing success, and estimated the survival of domestically hatched (DH) chicks to 28 days of age following introduction to a surrogate wild brood.We collected 304 eggs from radiomarked female greater sage-grouse (C. urophasianus) during 2004–2007 in 3 study areas in northwestern Colorado. Estimated hatching success of collected eggs was 0.745 (SE¼0.022, 95% CI¼0.700–0.786) and was negatively influenced by the number of days an egg was stored and the percent egg weight loss that occurred during storage and incubation. We monitored 175 DH chicks in captivity for 1–10 days before introduction and adoption into surrogate wild broods. Model-averaged captive-rearing success was 0.792 (SE¼0.045, 95% CI¼0.686–0.865) across years, and was positively influenced by initial chick mass at hatch and daily weight gain in captivity but negatively influenced by the number of days the egg was stored and advancing hatch date. We were able to radiomark and monitor 133 DH chicks adopted into surrogate wild broods until 28 days of age. Eighty-eight percent of DH chicks were successfully adopted within 24 hours. Our overall estimate of DH chick survival to 28 days (0.423; 95% CI¼0.257–0.587) was comparable to published wild-hatched chick survival. Predation and exposure-related deaths accounted for 26.3% and 25.6% of the known fates, respectively. Our captive-rearing protocols and techniques were successful for collecting greater sage-grouse eggs, hatching and rearing chicks in captivity, and releasing chicks into wild surrogate broods. This success further implies that captive rearing and release can be a potential management strategy to demographically and genetically reinforce or augment small populations of sage-grouse. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. Publication: Thompson, T. R., A. D. Apa, K. P. Reese, and K. M. Tadvick. 2015. Captive rearing sage-grouse for augmentation of surrogate wild broods; evidence for success. Journal of Wildlife Management 79:998-1013. Objectives 1 & 2: Survival of greater sage-grouse broods and chicks from hatch to brood independence in northwestern Colorado Abstract-Survival of chicks from hatch to brood independence and recruitment into fall populations is an important but poorly understood life history trait that can have important consequences on the dynamics and viability of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations. Little is known about how the factors of gender, hatch date, hatch weight, distance traveled from nest, and brood size contribute both individually and ecologically to survival of chicks. We monitored survival and causes of mortality in wild-hatched (WH) chicks (n = 431) in wild broods (n = 115) from hatch to 16 weeks of age in the AB (Axial Basin) and CSM (Cold Springs Mountain) study areas in northwestern Colorado, 2005-2007 and evaluated potentially important predictors of brood and chick survival. In addition, we monitored survival from hatch to 16 weeks of age for a cohort of domestically-hatched (DH) chicks raised to 1-10 days of age in captivity (n = 116) and introduced into a subset of wild broods during this same time period. Overall brood survival from 2005-2007 (both wild and wild broods augmented with DH chicks) �to 16 weeks of age was 0.381 (95% CI: 0.264 – 0.514) at CSM compared to 0.533 (0.405 – 0.657) in the AB. Within the AB, we observed higher model-averaged survival rates among broods with DH chicks (0.631, SE = 0.088) compared to broods without (0.430, SE = 0.104), while at CSM the pattern was reversed (0.205, SE = 0.102 and 0.573, SE = 0.080). When we included broods that were depredated 1-3 days post-hatch and before radiomarking of chicks our overall apparent brood survival decreased from 47.8% (55/115) to 43.7% (55/126). The main cause of chick death was from predation, although exposure accounted for 27% of mortalities among DH chicks. Model averaged estimates of brood and chick survival indicated that survival varied both temporally and spatially. Brood and chick survival were higher in the AB compared to CSM, and WH chicks had higher survival in both areas compared to DH chicks. Similarly, DH and WH chicks at CSM in both augmented and wild broods had lower survival than DH and WH chicks in the AB with the largest differences occurring during weeks 1 – 3. Among the WH chicks survival rates among years in the AB ranged from 0.158 to 0.446 and at CSM from 0.088 to 0.339. Between study areas and among years survival was lowest during the first 3 – 4 weeks. We found evidence that chick survival increased with age and decreased with advancing hatch date, but found limited support for the influence of gender or distance traveled. We recommend that managers develop better understanding and knowledge of the relationship between nesting cover and brood habitat, as well as movement patterns between these areas within a landscape for each population. Managers need to consider prioritizing the protection and restoration of both early- and late brood-rearing habitat within specific landscapes, as our study demonstrates 2 bottlenecks through which chick survival significantly decrease at < 21-day post-hatch and during brood independence at > 10 weeks of age. We suggest that > 3 areas of each seasonal brood habitat type be dispersed within a breeding population to maintain traditional use patterns and to facilitate the use of new areas (i.e., restorations or plantings such as CRP), so as to help reduce predation risks and exposures due to concentration of broods in poor quality or limited critical habitat. Publication: Thompson, T. R., A. D. Apa, and K. P. Reese. In Prep. Survival of greater sage-grouse broods and chicks from hatch to brood independence in northwestern Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Management XXX:XXXX-XXXX. Objectives 1 & 2: Survival, natal dispersal and recruitment of juvenile greater sage-grouse in northwest Colorado Abstract-Juvenile survival and recruitment has not been studied extensively in many grouse species, including greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Since there is scant information on this vital rate, the implications of management actions on specific population demographics remains unknown. We captured, radio-marked, and monitored survival and recruitment of 183 transmitter-equipped juvenile sage-grouse from 1 September – 31 March at 2 study areas in northwest Colorado (AB: Axial Basin, CMS: Cold Springs Mountain). Juvenile grouse survival September through March varied by month, study area, and gender. Juvenile females had higher survival than juvenile males, and survival for each was higher in AB compared to CSM. Juvenile survival was lowest during September and October and coincided with brood independence and integration into winter flocks. Average survival from hatch to recruitment into the natal breeding population (March) varied between areas (AB: x̄ = 0.287, SE = 0.039; CSM: x̄ = 0.122, SE = 0.054). This information on survival and recruitment of juvenile sage-grouse has important implications for the management of this species at local, landscape, and regional levels. �Publication: Apa, A. D., T. R. Thompson, and K. P. Reese. In Prep. Juvenile greater sage-grouse survival, fall movements, and recruitment in northwest Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Management XXX:XXXX-XXXX. Objectives 1 & 2: Dispersal, gene flow, and population genetic structure in the greater sage-grouse: implications for connectivity and natural recolonization Abstract. Dispersal and gene flow have important consequences for the population dynamics and genetic structure of populations. However, for most species the degree to which dispersal and gene flow maintain population demographic and genetic connectivity remains unknown. Here, we compare the patterns of dispersal and genetic structure in Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) at 15 leks in six population management zones (PMZs) in northwest Colorado by genotyping 275 individuals at 17 microsatellite loci. All leks showed high levels of genetic diversity, and low levels of genetic structure were observed between neighboring leks and PMZs. Multiple analyses revealed an isolation by distance pattern among leks and PMZs that followed a directional or two-dimensional stepping-stone pattern. Contrary to the traditional view of female-biased dispersal in avian and grouse species, we observed direct evidence of male-biased dispersal in our radio-telemetry data, but less evidence in our genetic methods. Our spatial autocorrelation analyses revealed significantly positive r values out to the 5 km distance class for males and 15 km distance class for females. Analyses of dispersal using direct and indirect methods indicated that dispersal distances above 20 km are rare. Our study demonstrates the importance of using both demographic and genetic methods to define and understand population characteristics and manage populations at appropriate scales. Publication: Apa, A. D. T. R. Thompson, S. Oyler-McCance, K. P. Reese, and L. P. Waits. In Revision. Comparing dispersal and gene flow in the greater sage-grouse: implications for connectivity and natural recolonizaton. Condor XXX:XXXX-XXXX. Objective 3: Relationship of landscape characteristics to movement behaviors and settlement patterns of greater sage-grouse in northwest Colorado Abstract-Range-wide declines in greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasiansus) populations have largely been attributed to loss, degradation, and fragmentation of sagebrush habitats and landscapes that are believed to negatively impact population vital rates, movements, and distribution patterns. Current understanding of these processes in sage-grouse is primarily limited to adult age individuals with little understanding of their influences on juvenile movement behaviors and settlement patterns. In this study we assessed how landscape composition (percent land cover) and edge density (m/ ha) within the dispersal range (winter and dispersal locations) and dispersal period landscapes (pre-dispersal, winter, and post-dispersal locations) differed between male and female juvenile sage-grouse in 2 study areas (Axial Basin and Cold Springs Mountain) in northwestern Colorado. During September – April, 2005 – 2008 we �monitored 95 juveniles (74 female and 31 males). Before running landscape analyses we performed an accuracy assessment on 3 potential Landsat satellite imagery sources (Colorado Vegetation Classification Project, LANDFIRE, and Southwest Regional GAP) and used overall accuracy, and kappa coefficients to determine which data source would have the highest quality and less uncertainty in derived land cover maps. Using the LANDFIRE (2006) Existing Vegetation Map we compared proportion of land cover types and edge densities in 4 dominant land cover types (sagebrush dominated community (Artemisia tridentata spp), salt desert shrub dominated community (shadscale saltbush (Atriplex confertifolia); greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)), grassland/ rangeland/ perennial grass and forb, and deciduous shrub/ mountain-shrub dominated community (bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate); Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii); serviceberry (Amelanchier spp); snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.), and tested for effect on genders, areas, dispersal ranges, and among dispersal period landscapes at 2 spatial extents (500- and 2,000-m). Dispersal ranges and dispersal period landscape metrics were not significantly different between genders at either buffer extent. Within dispersal ranges, percent cover in sagebrush did not significantly differ between study areas at the 500-m buffer extent; however at the 2,000-m buffer extent proportion of land cover in sagebrush was higher in the Axial Basin. Among dispersal period landscapes, measured metrics significantly differed between areas and among periods. At the 500-m buffer extent winter and post-dispersal landscapes in the Axial Basin had higher land cover in sagebrush, lower edge density in sagebrush, and lower cover in salt desert shrub compared to Cold Springs Mountain. At the 2,000-m buffer extent a similar pattern was observed, as well as higher land cover in sagebrush and shrub, as well as shrub edge density in the Axial Basin. The grassland cover type did not significantly differ at either buffer extent for dispersal range or dispersal period landscapes. We believe this suggests natal dispersal movement behaviors and settlement patterns within our study areas, where percent land cover in sagebrush are > 60%, are not directly influenced by landscape structure or composition in the dispersal range or period, but by individual and population pressures and demands (e.g., access to resources, inbreeding avoidance, traditional use) related to the breeding and production (brood-rearing) areas. Publication: Thompson, T. R., A. D. Apa, and K. P. Reese. In Prep. Relationship of landscape characteristics to movement behaviors and settlement patterns of greater sage-grouse in northwest Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Management XXX:XXXX-XXXX. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reports Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Greater Sage-grouse natal dispersal and brood augmentation with captive-reared chicks Description An account of the resource In response to population declines, recent research on greater sage-grouse (<em>Centrocercus urophasianus</em>) 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. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Apa, Anthony D. Subject The topic of the resource Greater sage-grouse <em>Centrocercus urophasianus</em> Wildlife management Extent The size or duration of the resource. 5 pages Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2015-11 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/">No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource English