Developing a Sage Grouse Long-term Monitoring Protocol for the Upper Columbia Basin Network

Project ID: P14AC01262

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: University of Idaho

Fiscal Year: 2014

Initial Funding: $31,884

Total Funding: $31,884

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: Upper Columbia Network Inventory & Monitoring

Principal Investigator: Conway, Courtney

Agreement Technical Representative: Dicus, Gordon

Abstract: This is a collaborative project between the University of Idaho (UI) and the National Park Service (NPS) to provide a comprehensive monitoring protocol for detecting and monitoring the status and trends of sage grouse in two Upper Columbia Basin Network (UCBN) parks: City of Rocks National Reserve (CIRO) and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO). The greater sage grouse is decreasing in numbers and range throughout much of the western United States. Sagebrush-steppe vegetation comprises over half of the land cover at CIRO and more than 90% of vegetated portions of CRMO, comprising suitable habitat for sage grouse.
Sage grouse occur in these two parks during all seasons of the year, but the status of their occurrence is unknown. The monitoring protocol narrative will be written to comply with NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program standards (including but not limited to those outlined in Oakley et al. 2003), and will include all necessary information in order for the UCBN to successfully implement and sustain a long-term monitoring program of sage grouse in the network. UI will collaborate with UCBN staff to develop the sage grouse protocol narrative and standard operating procedures in a format suitable for academic peer-review. UCBN staff will be involved in the project by furnishing all relevant information requested by UI, scheduling and completing internal benchmark” reviews and edits in a timely manner, and by facilitating site visits and field work (i.e., arranging park staff field assistance). The UCBN will also provide program guidance and writing assistance for sections of the narrative and standard operating procedures, including Data Management and Operational Requirements sections. Project reports will be publicly available as NPS Natural Resource Publications Series and/or as peer-reviewed scientific journal articles.