Open-File Report 2011–1182
AbstractRelationships between habitat selection and population vital rates of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse), recently designated as a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act, within the Great Basin are not well-understood. The growing development of renewable energy infrastructure within areas inhabited by sage-grouse is thought to influence predator and vegetation communities. For example, common ravens (Corvus corax), a synanthropic sage-grouse nest predator, are increasing range-wide and select transmission lines and other tall structures for nesting and perching. In the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada, we collected preliminary information of space-use, habitat selection, and population vital rates during the nesting and brood-rearing period over two years on 56 sage-grouse. Additionally, videography at nest sites (n = 22) was used to identify sage-grouse nest predators. The study area is a potential site for renewable energy developments (i.e., wind and solar), and we plan to continue monitoring this population using a before-after-control-impact study design. The results reported here are preliminary and further data are required before conclusions can be drawn from this population of sage-grouse. |
First posted September 30, 2011 For additional information contact: Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. |
Coates, P.S., Lockyer, Z.B., Farinha, M.A., Sweeney, J.M., Johnson, V.M., Meshriy, M.G., Espinosa, S.P., Delehanty, D.J., and Casazza, M.L., 2011, Preliminary analysis of Greater Sage-grouse reproduction in the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011-1182, 32 p.
Abstract
Project Overview
Study Area
Methods
Preliminary Results
Preliminary Data Interpretation
Acknowledgments
Literature Cited