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Invasive annual grasses are a primary, severe, and challenging threat to habitat conservation and restoration for sage-dependent wildlife across federal, state and private lands. Successful management solutions for sagebrush rangelands are likely to be multiphasic, involving some sequence of interventions such as herbicides, seeding of competitive natives that also create habitat, and temporarily altering land use, in an adaptive-management approach. The proposed work tests different herbicides and options for applying them with different seeding and land uses, across a gradient of climate and soils in Interior Regions 5 and 7.This research will examine the efficacy of management options for controlling cheatgrass...
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Conifer encroachment is one of the most significant threats to sagebrush habitats and the species that rely on them. Removal of encroaching conifers is beneficial for Greater Sage-Grouse, but impacts on other sagebrush-obligate species are not well understood. This project aims to quantify the impact of conifer removal on sagebrush songbird abundance and reproductive success. Work has been initiated through a previously-supported (by IR5/7 SA) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit project across six conifer-removal and six conifer-remaining (control) plots of ca. 55 ha each. Initial results suggest that conifer removal benefits both abundance and nesting success of sagebrush-obligate species (Brewers Sparrows...
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The Wind River Reservation in Wyoming contains over 2 million acres of the best and most diverse and intact habitats in the contiguous US. It is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes. In collaboration with Tribal Fish and Game, the USFWS Lander Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and the USGS Wyoming Cooperative Research Unit, partners have been conducting an investigation of the migration patterns of 113 GPS-collared mule deer that began in 2018. As part of our SA diversity and inclusion efforts with a $60,500 investment, this project will extend the ongoing work and engage various segments of the tribal community in the research as a means to further understanding of fish and wildlife management...
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The US Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has experienced some of the highest rates of grassland loss in North America over a time that coincides with dramatic declines in grassland songbird populations yet increasing abundance of most grassland-nesting duck species except for northern pintail. To provide more insight into this contradiction, we propose to capitalize on long-term databases to evaluate how a key population driver nest survival for North American ducks has responded to system changes in the region including landscape and climatic factors. Outcomes of these analyses will contribute to testing primary conservation planning assumptions for the PPJV a vital component of the PPJV Strategic Habitat Conservation...
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Using a solutions-oriented, multi-agency collaboration, we propose to pilot a large-scale assessment of an alternative (herding, electric- and virtual-fence) grazing strategy designed to mimic pre-colonial grazing patterns by bison, to ascertain their value for local- and regional-scale assemblages ofsagebrush- and grassland-associated birds in Montana. A fundamental goal of most wildlife-based grazing programs is to foster a mosaic of patches that represent the broadest possible spectrum of habitat types that benefits different sagebrush- and grassland-associated birds in different parts of the landscape (for example, western meadowlarks, vesper sparrows, and thick-billed longspur in open, heavily grazed areas;...
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Grassland loss to woody encroachment is widespread and ongoing. Mechanical removal of Eastern Red Cedar (ERC) is the most cost-shared practice to address this threat. Cost-share is provided based on acres with different levels of infestation. Delineation of the different levels of infestation is time consuming butrequired to ensure the appropriate amount of cost-share is provided and contractors are not over/under compensated. The Rangeland Brush Estimation Toolbox(RaBET) is geospatial tool that can accurately automate this process. Unfortunately,wet-meadows and other wetland features cause the tool to overestimate woody cover. This project will provide funds to finish the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). This...
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Conifer removal and management is a key tool for restoring sagebrush ecosystems and Greater Sage-Grouse populations, though the response of other sagebrush-obligate birds, including Pinyon Jays, to conifer management has not been well-studied. Quantifying the response of avian species to conifer management will inform conservation delivery to ensure that agencies achieve sagebrush bird and habitat objectives while minimizing impacts on Pinyon Jays in the sagebrush/pinon-juniper woodland ecotone. The results of this project will address key science needs on Pinyon Jays and directly inform more effective conifer management throughout the eastern Great Basin. Without these data, we will be unable to provide science-based...
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This project will support the use of the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data to calculate current populations, population trend, and ultimately desired population objectives for the priority species outlined in the IR 5/7 SHC Plan. Benchmarks will be estimated to highlight grassland and sagebrush habitat needed to support desired populations as outlined in the Partners in Flight Plan by 2050. The BCR specific population targets provide a solid foundation to continue to build and refine the R6 SHC Teams Work towards effective planning and ultimately effective on-the-ground conservation delivery. A $55,000 investment supports conservation priorities for both Grassland and Sagebrush Ecosystems.
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The Conservation Efforts Database (CED) in a web-based monitoring and reporting tool that captures data about the conservation, restoration, and recovery actions for the imperiled sagebrush ecosystemand sage-grouse. Funding support from FWS (Science Applications and Nevada Ecological Services) have allowed the CED Team to develop a module for recording data about conservation actions, habitat condition, demography, and genetic information for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and we propose to expand that effort to include aquatic systems in Legacy Region 6. We propose to use funding to engage with stakeholders to scope the information gaps and tool needs to record and monitor conservation actions and information focused...
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We will apply indices of sagebrush ecological integrity, developed by WAFWA, to hierarchical population models of sage-grouse population rates of change over multiple decades to facilitate comprehensive understanding of the links between sagebrush ecosystem health and sagebrush obligate species from the lens of the Conservation Design Strategy. This research will investigate application of core area habitat concepts as it relates to sage-grouse population performance to manage lands within the sagebrush biome. The analysis framework and science deliverables developed from this study can be used as a basis to investigate the population performance of additional species of concern, beyond sage-grouse, in relation...
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In collaboration with LRs 1 and 2, LR 6 willcommit funds toUM via the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (CWRU) in direct support of Native American graduate education to increase the diversity of wildlife biologists with advanced degrees. Graduate research conducted by students will focus on non-hunted species in need of conservation.
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Grassland birds have declined more rapidly than any other group of land birds in North America in the last 50 years, with populations of Spragues Pipit, Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspur, and Bairds Sparrow having declined 65-94% during this period. Developing strategic conservation plans for grassland birds requires an understanding of their individual population ecology, along with their community dynamics amongst species. Few studies have focused on understanding how adult density during the breeding season relates to nesting performance (e.g., nest density and nest success) and how abiotic and biotic factors influence these individual demographics. This proposed work complements concurrent studies...
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FY2019 Multijurisdictional, international landscape with many shared priorities but lacks landscape (inter-jurisdictional) perspective. Landscape conservation design process will provide landscape context and future scenarios to support coordinated conservation investment. FY2020 Entering Phase 2 of a 3-year project, a Landscape Conservation Design (LCD) will deliver a set of strategies that the Crown Managers Partnership and dozens of stakeholders can deploy to achieve desired ecological conditions based on defined, measurable resource outcomes across the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. LCD is a holistic, participatory process bringing stakeholders together to define a desired future for the Crown landscape and...
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Sagebrush ecosystems continue to undergo widespread degradation due partly to climate change and human development. Effective management must consider how to best conserve and restore habitats to balance support for multiple declining species given finite resources. However, limited tools exist to help address such management questions, especially when also considering how to rapidly restore sagebrush habitats. There is a need for such tools to help guide conservation efforts and ensure they are effective at meeting desired outcomes and goals.We will develop optimization problems based on species abundance, habitat features, predicted future risk (invasive grasses, pinyon juniper encroachment, development, wildfire,...
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Grassland birds have declined more rapidly than any other group of land birds in North America in the last 50 years, with populations of Spragues Pipit, Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspur, and Bairds Sparrow having declined 65-94% during this period. This proposed cross-programmatic collaborative project between Migratory Birds and Refuges will expand on a growing network of Motus automated radio telemetry receivers (stations) to provide the first fine-scale quantitative assessment of the migratory period for regional priority grassland songbirds, which will inform key knowledge gaps about migration routes and stopover locations. Data collected via Motus automated telemetry tracking will allow the FWS and...
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Populations of lesser prairie-chickens are proposed for listing as threatened or endangered. Lesserprairie-chickens require relatively intact, large grassland dominated habitats for population persistence. Successful conservation efforts require knowledge of potential landscape thresholds and grassland patch configuration affecting lesser prairie-chicken populations. We will use existing population survey, lek location, and data from >700 previously marked lesser prairie-chickens to determine the potential for the presences of large-scale landcover thresholds that influence occupancy and persistence of lesser prairie-chickens as well as testing effects of gradients of grassland composition and configuration within...
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There are multiple ongoing applied science technical projects and concepts for sagebrush SHC efforts that require additional capacity in the form of a dedicated full-time post-doctoral candidate to accelerate project delivery and follow up. For example, State of the Sagebrush Spatial Conservation Planning, WAFWA Conservation Design, NatureServe validation of FY21 Conservation Design, Incorporation of Ungulate Migration Areas into Conservation Design. These projects have been delayed due to lack of capacity and tangible results would be benefited and accelerated with the addition of additional capacity via a two-year hire. This $100,000 SA investment supports conservation priorities for the Sagebrush Ecosystem and...
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This Phase II project will complete the funding needs for the modeling and product components to revise existing priority protection and restoration watersheds for 5-7 aquatic species guilds and 4-8 priority aquatic species across the Grassland Ecosystem. The project will utilize and update the original model platform used to create the first priorities for the Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership (GPFHP) in 2011 and utilize input from the Partners Council fishery experts of the GPFHP, which is composed of twenty state and federal agencies and nonprofits focused on aquatic conservation in the Great Plains as well as meet Grasslands Initiative goals. Benefits of the proposed outcome will be a broad consensus on...
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Research project to examing impacts of towers on sage-grouse. Sage-grouse are considered to be very sensitive to towers, yet the mechanism is unknown. This research will examine the mechanism of the impact and provide applicable recommendations for minimizing impacts or for mitigation
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There is a critical science need of identifying costs, amortized into the future, associated with prioritizing invasive annual grass management as fuels management to prevent costs of further wildland fire in high priority core areas. An invasive annual grass economic assessment will increase awareness of the resource needs and cost-effectiveness based on an evaluation of return on investment through a spatially prioritized approach for implementation. Realistic estimates for costs and ecological outcomes from allocation scenarios will define resources needed stepped down from a conservation design of Defend and Grow the Core Sagebrush Areas. This information will directly inform programmatic implementation levels...
map background search result map search result map Crown of the Continent Landscape Conservation Design US FWS UM Collaboration to Support Native American Graduate Students in Wildlife Biology Assessing annual grass management effectiveness in the sagebrush biome Tall structures and sage-grouse ; A comparison of sage-grouse response to cellular and communication towers and design feature recommedations to mitigate mortality risk and nest depredation Dedicated individual to develop and refine the BBS trend data by state portion of Bird Conservation Regions (11, 17, 18, 19) to develop population objectives Implementing SHC in the sagebrush ecosystem through enhanced technical support Impacts of Conifer Removal on Sagebrush Songbirds Wind River Tribal Engagement/Mule Deer Migration Motus network development on National Wildlife Refuges for tracking declining grassland songbirds Evaluating patterns of long-term system change and demographic response for grassland nesting ducks in the US Prairie Pothole Region Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership Phase II: Identifying and prioritizing restoration and protection areas for Grassland aquatic species Conservation Efforts Database: Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout Module Scoping Wetland Mask to Improve Woody Cover Mapping Identification of landscape thresholds and patch dynamics for lesser prairie-chickens Informing Multi-scale Strategic Habitat Conservation for Priority Grassland Birds in the Northern Great Plains Assessing Traditional and Emerging Grazing Strategies for Creating a Mosaic of Diverse Habitat Patches for Grassland- and Sagebrush Associated Birds Effect of conifer treatments and landscape management on sagebrush obligate songbirds and Pinyon Jays in the Great Basin Understanding greater sage-grouse population trends from the lens of the WAFWA Conservation Design Strategy: implications for management of impacted, core, and growth opportunity areas within the sagebrush biome Sagebrush Biome Invasive Annual Grass Economic Assessment Gunnison Sage-grouse Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool (PReSET) US FWS UM Collaboration to Support Native American Graduate Students in Wildlife Biology Wind River Tribal Engagement/Mule Deer Migration Impacts of Conifer Removal on Sagebrush Songbirds Gunnison Sage-grouse Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool (PReSET) Identification of landscape thresholds and patch dynamics for lesser prairie-chickens Wetland Mask to Improve Woody Cover Mapping Crown of the Continent Landscape Conservation Design Informing Multi-scale Strategic Habitat Conservation for Priority Grassland Birds in the Northern Great Plains Assessing Traditional and Emerging Grazing Strategies for Creating a Mosaic of Diverse Habitat Patches for Grassland- and Sagebrush Associated Birds Effect of conifer treatments and landscape management on sagebrush obligate songbirds and Pinyon Jays in the Great Basin Motus network development on National Wildlife Refuges for tracking declining grassland songbirds Evaluating patterns of long-term system change and demographic response for grassland nesting ducks in the US Prairie Pothole Region Tall structures and sage-grouse ; A comparison of sage-grouse response to cellular and communication towers and design feature recommedations to mitigate mortality risk and nest depredation Conservation Efforts Database: Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout Module Scoping Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership Phase II: Identifying and prioritizing restoration and protection areas for Grassland aquatic species Assessing annual grass management effectiveness in the sagebrush biome Implementing SHC in the sagebrush ecosystem through enhanced technical support Understanding greater sage-grouse population trends from the lens of the WAFWA Conservation Design Strategy: implications for management of impacted, core, and growth opportunity areas within the sagebrush biome Sagebrush Biome Invasive Annual Grass Economic Assessment Dedicated individual to develop and refine the BBS trend data by state portion of Bird Conservation Regions (11, 17, 18, 19) to develop population objectives