Preliminary analysis of Greater Sage-grouse reproduction in the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada
Open-File Report
2011-1182
Prepared in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Idaho State University, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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Abstract
Relationships 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.
Suggested Citation
Coates, P.S., Lockyer, Z.B., Farinha, M.A., Sweeney, J.M., Johnson, V.M., Meshriy, M.G., Espinosa, S.P., Delehanty, D.J., 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, vi, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20111182.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Preliminary analysis of Greater Sage-grouse reproduction in the Virginia Mountains of northwestern Nevada |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2011-1182 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20111182 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | vi, 32 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |