Natural Resources Preservation Program, Gunnison Sage-Grouse Habitat Selection: Developing a Landscape-Level Habitat Map Predicting Sagebrush, Herbaceous, and Bare Ground Cover

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Research Staff

Cameron Aldridge

Stephen Germaine

Daniel Neubaum

Bob Waltermire

 

Research Task: 832508P.2.33
Task Manager: Cameron Aldridge

As a result of a 30-year downward trend in Gunnison Sage-grouse populations, numerous local, State, Federal, and private agencies developed the Gunnison Sage-grouse Rangewide Conservation Plan in 2005 to guide management policies supporting Gunnison Grouse conservation. This collaborative effort involved the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service. To develop an accurate and predictive habitat selection model identifying key grouse habitats, high-quality spatial maps are required that depict sagebrush cover and structure, and herbaceous, bare ground, and litter cover. The goal of this project is to develop statistically rigorous mapping products to assess sagebrush habitat within the Gunnison Basin in Colorado, then use these maps to develop Gunnison Sage-grouse habitat selection models. Managers can use the resulting information to develop management and conservation priorities for this species. FORT research also will outline the best approaches for characterizing and assessing sagebrush habitats, providing managers with sound scientific tools for natural resource decision making.

 For more information contact Cameron Aldridge