Integrating multiple indices of habitat quality to inform habitat management for a sagebrush indicator species

Ecological Informatics
By: , and 

Metrics

2
Crossref references
Web analytics dashboard Metrics definitions

Links

Abstract

Robust science is needed to inform national resource management and policy decisions. Predictive species habitat maps are frequently employed in conservation decision-making but are often based on a single metric representing habitat quality. We outlined a framework that combines multiple spatially explicit indices of potential habitat quality that could be used to identify and prioritize habitat management areas, using the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) as an example species. Due to large-scale changes in sagebrush ecosystems, sage-grouse have suffered significant population declines in recent decades and have become key to land management plans throughout the western United States, where comprehensive habitat maps are crucial to effective conservation efforts. We evaluated habitat selection and survival patterns of sage-grouse across six distinct annual life stages and seasons to generate predictive habitat map surfaces, mapped the distribution of current occupancy, and combined maps of potential selection and survival patterns with space use and occupancy indices to delineate example habitat management categories. Our approach facilitates identification of priority areas to target for habitat preservation and areas where anthropogenic impacts could occur with likely minimal impact to the species. Overall, by combining indices representing selection, survival, and current occupancy, we provide a framework to allow for a flexible and targeted management approach that could be adapted to a wide variety of species.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Integrating multiple indices of habitat quality to inform habitat management for a sagebrush indicator species
Series title Ecological Informatics
DOI 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103228
Volume 90
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 103228, 13 p.
Country United States
State California, Nevada
Other Geospatial Great Basin region
Additional publication details