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Argali (Ovis ammon), the largest wild sheep in Asia, are of high conservation concern and remain taxonomically and genetically debated across parts of their range. We investigated population structure, relatedness, and inbreeding within Argali sampled in Kyrgyzstan using the Illumina Ovine High-Density SNP array, with an emphasis on dense within-population sampling rather than range-wide comparisons. After quality control, 72 individuals and 135,242 markers were retained for analysis. Principal component analysis revealed subtle genetic variation within the sampled population, but no clustering consistent with discrete subspecies. In particular, we found no genomic support for separating O. a. polii and O. a. karelini within Kyrgyzstan, suggesting that they represent a single genetic unit in this region. Estimates of identity by descent indicated a high average relatedness (0.35), consistent with harem-based breeding systems typical of wild sheep, while individual inbreeding coefficients averaged near zero, with some evidence of moderate inbreeding in a subset of animals. Together, these results characterize fine-scale genetic structure and kinship within Tian Shan Argali and provide a regional genomic baseline for conservation planning in Kyrgyzstan. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining connectivity within and among managed populations while acknowledging that broader inference will require sampling across the core Pamir range and other parts of the species’ distribution.

Selection of nest sites directly influences reproductive success for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus); thus, regional evaluation of how this species selects nest sites is necessary for effective habitat management. We evaluated fine-scale nest site selection of Greater Sage-Grouse in the Centennial Valley of southwest Montana. We conducted vegetation surveys at nest sites (n = 90) of radio-tagged Greater Sage-Grouse and paired random locations across 2 breeding seasons (2014–2015). The majority of nests were located under mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), three-tip sagebrush (A. tripartita), and basin big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. tridentata) shrubs. We used generalized linear models and information theory to evaluate competing hypotheses about nest site selection. Our top model indicated that nest site selection was primarily associated with nest shrub morphological characteristics and cover provided by the nest shrub. Mountain big sagebrush and three-tip sagebrush provided twice the amount of lateral cover that basin big sagebrush shrubs provided. Our results suggest that herbaceous cover was unimportant at fine scale nest site selection of Greater Sage-Grouse in our study area. Managers should focus on conserving large intact stands of mountain big sagebrush and three-tip sagebrush habitats because they provided the most lateral cover and supported the majority of nest sites.

Control of establishing conifers to lessen their impacts on understory is a contentious habitat issue throughout the western United States. Our objective was to model the effect of increasing Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) canopy cover on mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata vaseyana) canopy cover. We sampled 25 sites, representing different levels of Douglas-fir establishment, within each of 3 southwestern Montana mountain big sagebrush communities. Over all sites, Douglas-fir canopy cover had a significant correlation (r = −0.86; P < 0.001) to mountain big sagebrush canopy cover. Regression models were variable among study areas as linear and curve-linear declines in mountain big sagebrush canopy cover were found. While model validation results indicated that individual study-area models were marginal for predicting relationships for the other study areas, the overall model developed from all sites combined generally predicted individual sites well, especially when mountain big sagebrush cover was <15%. Mountain big sagebrush canopy cover declined from >20% to <15% and <5% as Douglas-fir canopy cover increased beyond 20% and 35%, respectively. At least 92 species of mammals and 93 species of birds having either an obligatory or a facultative relationship with sagebrush are affected to differing degrees by loss of sagebrush cover.

Selection of nest sites directly influences reproductive success for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus); thus, regional evaluation of how this species selects nest sites is necessary for effective habitat management. We evaluated fine-scale nest site selection of Greater Sage-Grouse in the Centennial Valley of southwest Montana. We conducted vegetation surveys at nest sites (n = 90) of radio-tagged Greater Sage-Grouse and paired random locations across 2 breeding seasons (2014-2015). The majority of nests were located under mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridemata ssp. vaseyana), three-tip sagebrush (A. tripartita), and basin big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. tridenlata) shrubs. We used generalized linear models and information theory to evaluate competing hypotheses about nest site selection. Our top model indicated that nest site selection was primarily associated with nest shrub morphological characteristics and cover provided by the nest shrub. Mountain big sagebrush and three-tip sagebrush provided twice the amount of lateral cover that basin big sagebrush shrubs provided. Our results suggest that herbaceous cover was unimportant at fine scale nest site selection of Greater Sage-Grouse in our study area. Managers should focus on conserving large intact stands of mountain big sagebrush and three-tip sagebrush habitats because they provided the most lateral cover and supported the majority of nest sites. Received 2 June 2017. Accepted 30 January 2018. Key words: Artemisia spp., Centrocercus urophasianus. Greater Sage-Grouse, herbaceous cover, nest site selection, sagebrush, shrub morphology. La seleccion de sitios de anidacion influencia de manera directa el exito reproductivo del urogallo Cenfrocercus urophasianus. Por ello, necesitamos una evaluacion regional de como seleccionan sitios de anidacion para lograr un manejo efectivo de habitat. Evaluamos la seleccion de sitios de anidacion del urogallo a escala fina en el Centennial Valley en cl suroeste de Montana. Hicimos reconocimientos de la vegetacion en sitios de anidacion (n = 90) de urogallos marcados con transmisores de telemetria y en localidades aleatorias pareadas a lo largo de dos temporadas reproductivas (2014-2015). La mayoria de los nidos fueron encontrados debajo de los arbustos Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, A. tripartita y A. tridentata ssp. tridentata. Utilizamos modelos lineales generales y teoria de la informacion para evaluar la competencia entre hipotesis acerca de la seleccion de nidos. Nuestro modelo con mejor soporte se asocia principalmente con caracteristicas morfologicas y la cobertura provista por el arbusto de anidacion. Los arbustos de Artemisia tridentata vaseyana y A. tripartita proveen el doble de la cantidad de cobertura lateral que el provisto por A. tridentata tridentata. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la cobertura herbacea no es importante a escala fina en la seleccion de sitios nido de este urogallo en nuestra area de estudio. Quienes manejan estos habitats deben enfocarse en parcelas grandes e intactas de Artemisia tridentata vaseyana y A. tripartita porque proveen la mayor cobertura lateral y dan soporte a la mayoria de los sitios de anidacion. Palabras clave: Artemisia spp., Centroeercns urophasianus, cobertura herbacea, morfologia de arbustos, seleccion de sitios nido.

Sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) are arguably the best known of the many wildlife species that inhabit sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems. Lack of standardization in the procedures used to assess sagebrush cover may contribute to inconsistencies in reported habitat requirements for sage-grouse and other wildlife. We compared 3 applications of the line-intercept method for 3 sagebrush taxa. We sampled 2 mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata vaseyana) sites, 2 Wyoming big sagebrush (A. t. wyomingensis) sites, and 1 black sagebrush (A. nova) site to determine whether the results generated by the 3 methods differed. Percent cover as determined by agency methods was up to 2.6 times greater than that from research applications. Cover differences among techniques were influenced by taxa and site (P ≤ 0.001) because both affected shrub morphology. We believe it will be difficult to identify and achieve wildlife habitat guidelines for minimal sagebrush cover requirements if methodologies are not standardized.

Plant communities are monitored to prevent ungulate browsing from having an adverse effect on habitat. The monitoring process described in this paper applies to plant species capable of growing through the browse zone, and uses two measurements (percent intensely browsed and LD Index) to determine if browsing will prevent the height growth of a young plant. To determine the potential effect of browsing on habitat structure, two variables are compared: 1) Existing browsing pressure is the percent of young plants that browsing is predicted to prevent from growing to full height. 2) Threshold browsing pressure is the percent of young plants that must grow to full height to attain a specified habitat structure. The process includes specifying target conditions, data collection and analysis, and refinement based on that analysis. The process requires a long-term commitment, but a minimal investment of time each year. By repeating the process over a period of years, the effects of browsing are documented and steps in the process are refined.

Plant communities are monitored to prevent ungulate browsing from having an adverse effect on habitat. The monitoring process described in this paper applies to plant species capable of growing through the browse zone, and uses two measurements (percent intensely browsed and LD Index) to detennine if browsing will prevent the height growth of a young plant. To determine the potential effect of browsing on habitat structure, two variables are compared: 1) Existing browsing pressure is the percent of young plants that browsing is predicted to preventfrom growing to foil height. 2) Threshold browsing pressure is the percent of young plants that must grow to foil height to attain a specified habitat strncture. The process includes specifying target conditions, data collection and analysis, and refinement based on that analysis. The process requires a long-tenn commitment, but a minimal investment of time each year. By repeating the process over aperiod of years, the effects of browsing are documented and steps in the process are refined. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

In 2006 and 2007 Environmental Solutions Group, LLe (ESG) conducted landscape level surveys of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) winter range to test new field methods for assessing degree of browse utilization, browse species condition, and large animal distribution patterns. In 2007, a site was surveyed on Big Sheep Mountain in the Cherry Creek mule deer census area north of Terry in eastern Montana, covering approximately 6,400 ac (2,590 ha). Methodology followed Frisina and Knapp (2006). Data were collected along foot travel routes in a quarter mile pattern to cover the study area, totaling approximately 54 mi (86 Ian) of route at each site. Each data point represents a route segment up to 0.25 mi (0.4 Ian) long having a single type of vegetation. Data were collected for canopy cover and utilization level by individual browse species, canopy cover of other major individual plant species, amount of bare ground, andfrequency of fecal pellet group observed for each ungulate species. Potential users of this methodology may now assess whether it offers usefol and cost-effective application for their purposes. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

In 2006 and 2007 Environmental Solutions Group, LLC (ESG) conducted landscape level surveys of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) winter range to test new field methods for assessing degree of browse utilization, browse species condition, and large animal distribution patterns. In 2007, a site was surveyed on Big Sheep Mountain in the Cherry Creek mule deer census area north of Terry in eastern Montana, covering approximately 6,400 ac (2,590 ha). Methodology followed Frisina and Knapp (2006). Data were collected along foot travel routes in a quarter mile pattern to cover the study area, totaling approximately 54 mi (86 km) of route at each site. Each data point represents a route segment up to 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long having a single type of vegetation. Data were collected for canopy cover and utilization level by individual browse species, canopy cover of other major individual plant species, amount of bare ground, and frequency of fecal pellet group observed for each ungulate species. Potential users of this methodology may now assess whether it offers useful and cost-effective application for their purposes.

Wildlife conservation and management challenges in Mongolia are examined. Such programs must implement programs that maintain multiple values.