AUGMENTING TRANSLOCATED SAGE-GROUSE BROODS & GUIDING FUTURE RELEASE LOCATIONS | |||
Nicole I Lindenauer; University of California, Davis; U.S. Geological Surveys; nlindenauer@usgs.gov; Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Steven R. Mathews-Sanchez, Mary B. Meyerpeter, Gail L. Patricelli | |||
Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, “sage-grouse”) populations have declined significantly across the western United States, including in the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (Bi-State DPS), largely attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation. For the Parker Meadows subpopulation in the Bi-State DPS, landscape changes combined with likely inbreeding depression resulted in rapid population declines during the early 2000s. Thus, translocations were initiated in 2017 to prevent local extirpation. As part of this conservation project, we compared the efficacy of two translocation methods to help inform management decisions that optimize population restoration efforts. We compared whole-brood translocations (females with their broods) and augmented-brood translocations (broods augmented with extra chicks from a donor brood). We evaluated initial chick retention rates and survival estimates within translocated whole-broods and augmented-broods, as well as between donor and non-donor broods within the source population. We also compared habitat selection and survival between resident and translocated broods and created source-sink habitat maps to help guide suitable future release locations. By identifying the most effective translocation method and optimal release locations, we will provide valuable insights for conservation managers aiming to restore sage-grouse populations. These findings are preliminary, subject to change, and provided for best timely science. | |||
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