Greater sage-grouse research in the Parachute-Piceance-Roan Region of western Colorado. Part II: multi-scale habitat selection and seasonal habitat mapping

Greater sage-grouse research in the Parachute-Piceance-Roan Region of western Colorado. Part II: multi-scale habitat selection and seasonal habitat mapping

Loss and degradation of sagebrush habitat throughout western North America has led to growing concern for conservation of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and repeated petitions to list the species under the Endangered Species Act. Greater sage-grouse in the Parachute- Piceance-Roan (PPR) region of western Colorado face at least two known potential stressors: increasing energy development and a long-term decline in habitat suitability associated with pinyon-juniper encroachment. In 2006, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and industry partners initiated a 3- year study to obtain baseline data on seasonal habitat use, movements, vital rates, and genetics of greater sage-grouse in the PPR. CDOW has since expanded that original project to include two new objectives: (1) generate high-resolution maps showing high-priority seasonal use areas for the entire population, and (2) assess the value of pinyon-juniper removal for increasing sage-grouse habitat. Industry, landowners, and state and federal agencies need high-resolution maps showing where sage-grouse occur during each season to streamline development planning, quantify mitigation needs, and guide on-the-ground sage-grouse conservation efforts.

Walker, Brett L.

Greater sage-grouse

Parachute-Piceance-Roan (PPR) region

Wildlife habitat improvement

Northwestern Colorado

29 pages

08-10-2010

Text

application/pdf

English