Winter use of douglas-fir forests by Blue Grouse in Colorado
Journal of Wildlife Management
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Abstract
We studied winter use of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests by blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) from 1981 to 1983 at 2 study areas in northcentral Colorado. Comparisons of used and available stands indicated grouse were concentrated spatially, but there were no consistent differences related to basal area of tree species, conifer stem densities, and topography that were common to both areas. Blue grouse used dense (2,000 stems/ha) second growth (40-75 yr old), open to dense (200-1,900 stems/ha) mature (100-200 yr old), and open (<100 stems/ha) old-growth (200-600 yr old) stands. Stands used were composed of Douglas-fir alone or in association with subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), limber pine (P. flexilis), Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). Grouse used stands on mesic northern and eastern aspects, on xeric southern and western aspects, at elevations of 2,530-2,960 m, and on slopes of 1-45°. Preferential use (P < 0.05) of Douglas-fir trees occurred within stands that had an abundance of limber pine (use = availability) and subalpine fir (use < availability). Large Douglas-fir (20-90 cm dbh) were preferred (P < 0.05) within stands that had an abundance of smaller (≤15 cm dbh) trees. Both sexes used similar trees.
Suggested Citation
Cade, B.S., Hoffman, R., 1990, Winter use of douglas-fir forests by Blue Grouse in Colorado: Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 54, no. 3, p. 471-479, https://doi.org/10.2307/3809661.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Winter use of douglas-fir forests by Blue Grouse in Colorado |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| DOI | 10.2307/3809661 |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1990 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wildlife Society |
| Publisher location | Washington, D.C. |
| Description | 9 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| First page | 471 |
| Last page | 479 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |