We developed a hierarchical clustering approach that identifies biologically relevant landscape units that can 1) be used as a long-term population monitoring framework, 2) be repeated across the Greater sage-grouse range, 3) be used to track the outcomes of local and regional populations by comparing population changes across scales, and 4) be used to inform where to best spatially target studies that identify the processes and mechanisms causing population trends to change among spatial scales. The spatial variability in the amount and quality of habitat resources can affect local population success and result in different population growth rates among smaller clusters. Equally so, the spatial structure and ecological organization driving scale-dependent systems in a fragmented landscape affects dispersal behavior, suggesting inclusion in population monitoring frameworks. Studies that compare conditions among spatially explicit hierarchical clusters may elucidate the cause of differing growth rates, indicating the appropriate location and spatial scale of a management action.
The data presented here reflect the results from developing a hierarchical monitoring framework and then applying these methods to Greater Sage-grouse in Nevada and Wyoming, US. When using these data for evaluating population changes or when identifying a spatially balanced sampling protocol, all cluster levels are designed to work together and therefore we recommend evaluating multiple cluster levels prior to selecting a single cluster level, if a single scale is desired, when analyzing population growth rates or other analyses, as these data are intended for multi-scale efforts. In other words, let your data decide which scale(s) are appropriate for the given species. These cluster levels are specific to Greater Sage-grouse but they may be appropriate for other sagebrush obligate species, but the user will need to make this determination.
The products from this study aim to support multiple research and management needs. However, these data represent an interim data product because there may be errors associated with clusters along the edges of the state boundaries (due to the lack of lek data in neighboring states). We are planning to release new data that we will develop for the Greater sage-grouse range. We recommend using the new data products once available instead of these data products.
These data will remain online as they are associated with the following citation, which provides a detailed explanation of the methods used to develop these data:
O’Donnell, Michael S., David R. Edmunds, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs, Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, and Steve E. Hanser. 2018. Designing hierarchically nested and biologically relevant monitoring frameworks to study populations across scales. Ecosphere
