Date of Award:

5-2013

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Committee Chair(s)

Terry A. Messmer

Committee

Terry A. Messmer

Committee

Christopher Call

Committee

Frank Howe

Abstract

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) are a sagebrush obligate species and an indicator of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitat quality. Sage-grouse populations have declined across western North America. Fragmentation of landscapes and habitat loss have been identified as factors that negatively impact sage-grouse populations. Wildfires can increase the distribution of invasive plants and contribute to fragmentation and habitat loss across sagebrush ecosystems. Greenstripping has been identified as a technique to reduce the threat of wildfire and subsequent spread of invasive species. Forage kochia (Bassia prostrata) is a semi-shrub that contains a high moisture content year-round, high protein content, and has the ability to reduce wildfire spread across rangelands; however, greenstrip site preparation may also be a disturbance to the landscape.

I evaluated the impact of greenstripping on lower elevation sagebrush habitats and sage-grouse habitat use from 2010-2012 in the Grouse Creek Watershed, western Box Elder County, USA. I monitored 53 radio-collared sage-grouse to determine habitat use patterns, nest and brood success, and survival in response to the greenstripping. I recorded vegetation measurements at sage-grouse use locations and random locations to determine preferred habitat metrics. I used distance sampling to evaluate sage-grouse use of greenstripped areas compared to untreated sites. I used microhistological lab techniques to identify forage kochia in sage-grouse fecal pellets that were collected in the spring 2012.

My results suggest that sage-grouse preferred untreated areas. However, sage-grouse used the greenstrips to expand the size of a traditional lek. Based on my analysis of fecal pellets collected in the spring, I confirmed that forage kochia was consumed by sage-grouse at a low density, but sagebrush constituted the primary diet source. Long-term monitoring should be continued to evaluate if the greenstripping actually reduced fires risks and if sage-grouse use of the treated sites increased over time. The nest success and male survival estimates for this population were lower than range-wide averages. Although individual sage-grouse demonstrated local adaptations to fragmentation and seasonal variations in weather, increased fragmentation and climate change in the Great Basin may increase extirpation risks for the meta-population inhabiting lower elevation sagebrush areas in the Grouse Creek Watershed.

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