Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

ID Effects of Cattle Grazing on Sage-grouse Habitat & Demographic Traits

Project ID: L20AC00320

Federal Agency: Bureau of Land Management

Partner Institution: University of Idaho

Fiscal Year: 2020

Initial Funding: $150,000

Total Funding: $1,700,000

Principal Investigator: Conway, Courtney

Agreement Technical Representative: Beckham, Edward

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES

We will pursue the following 3 objectives that examine the effects of grazing on sage-grouse.

The field work required to address all 3 objectives will be conducted in the same study sites.

  1. Document the effects of different cattle grazing regimes on sage-grouse demographic and behavioral traits including: nesting propensity, nest initiation date, daily nest survival, re-nesting rate, brood size, brood survival, post-fledging movements, natal recruitment, hen survival, inter-annual nest-site fidelity, and site occupancy.
  2. Document the effects of different cattle grazing regimes on density and diversity of insects (species common in sage-grouse diets) within sage-grouse breeding habitat.
  3. Document the effects of different cattle grazing regimes on nest concealment, sagebrush canopy cover, density and diversity of grasses and forbs, and other vegetation features that contribute to sage-grouse habitat suitability.