Habitat Prioritization for Selected Raptor Species in Wyoming

Research Task: RB00CFC.10.0
Task Manager: Jason Tack

The conservation of raptors in Wyoming due to potential population declines is a concern to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). For this reason, standard conservation measures for development activities to mitigate impacts to raptors are currently recommended by the FWS (e.g., seasonal distance restrictions of activities relative to known roost or nest sites). However, these measures are limited in several ways: (1) they are applied during only one season, (2) they focus only on known nest or roost sites, and (3) they do not consider other habitats such as foraging areas, unknown roost and nest sites, and movement corridors. Identification of priority habitats for raptors in Wyoming could help address these limitations. Modeling habitat selection based on existing raptor and habitat data could predict and map the importance of different habitats. Furthermore, habitat selection modeling could also predict the location of potentially limiting habitats such as roost and nest sites, and foraging areas across the landscape. We are developing a quantitative predictive model of the relationship between available raptor habitat, and raptor habitat use for 4 species in Wyoming: Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Prairie Falcon. This research will result in models and maps that identify priority habitat areas. These products will assist the FWS in effective raptor conservation by facilitating the prioritization of locations for strategic, and focused, conservation efforts.

 For more information contact Jason Tack