Explore the vast range of titles available.

The rapid pace of wind-energy development has increased stakeholder concerns regarding the potential effects on wildlife. Locations targeted for wind-energy development frequently overlap prairie grouse and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) habitats. Research suggests that anthropogenic developments may have negative effects on these species. There is, however, no information published regarding the effect of wind-energy development on Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus), a subspecies that has twice been petitioned for Endangered Species Act protection. To address this need, from 2014 to 2015 we studied Columbian sharp-tailed grouse nesting ecology across restored grasslands in eastern Idaho, USA, where a 215-turbine wind-energy complex had been developed. We monitored 147 nests from 135 females captured at leks 0.1–13.8 km from wind turbines. We used an information-theoretic approach to evaluate the influence of wind-energy infrastructure and habitat characteristics on nest-site selection and daily nest survival. We did not detect any influence of wind-energy infrastructure on nest-site selection or nest survival. Nest-site selection and daily nest survival were influenced by vegetation structure and composition measured at 2 spatial scales. Females selected nest sites with more restored grassland containing >30% forb cover within the nesting core-use area (i.e., 60 ha around the nest) and exhibited a functional response to the availability of that land cover type. Daily nest survival was best predicted by visual obstruction at the nest site and the amount of restored grassland containing >30% forb cover within the nesting core-use area. We recommend wildlife managers continue to implement management practices that will provide bunchgrass-dominated grasslands with >30% forb cover in restored grasslands (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program fields) within Columbian sharp-tailed grouse range.

Integrating ecological theory with empirical methods is ubiquitous in ecology using hierarchical Bayesian models. However, there has been little development focused on integration of ecological theory into models for survival analysis. Survival is a fundamental process, linking individual fitness with population dynamics, but incorporating life history strategies to inform survival estimation can be challenging because mortality processes occur at multiple scales. We develop an approach to survival analysis, incorporating model constraints based on a species' life history strategy using functional analytical tools. Specifically, we structurally separate intrinsic patterns of mortality that arise from age‐specific processes (e.g. increasing survival during early life stages due to growth or maturation, versus senescence) from extrinsic mortality patterns that arise over different periods of time (e.g. seasonal temporal shifts). We use shape constrained generalized additive models (CGAMs) to obtain age‐specific hazard functions that incorporate theoretical information based on classical survivorship curves into the age component of the model and capture extrinsic factors in the time component. We compare the performance of our modelling approach to standard survival modelling tools that do not explicitly incorporate species life history strategy in the model structure, using metrics of predictive power, accuracy, efficiency and computation time. We applied these models to two case studies that reflect different functional shapes for the underlying survivorship curves, examining age‐period survival for white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus in Wisconsin, USA and Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus in Colorado, USA. We found that models that included shape constraints for the age effects in the hazard curves using CGAMs outperformed models that did not include explicit functional constraints. We demonstrate a data‐driven and easily extendable approach to survival analysis by showing its utility to obtain hazard rates and survival probabilities, accounting for heterogeneity across ages and over time, for two very different species. We show how integration of ecological theory using constrained generalized additive models, with empirical statistical methods, enhances survival analyses.

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) have experienced range-wide population declines, primarily as a result of habitat loss or degradation, and currently occupy <10% of their historical range. Expansion of wind-energy development across the current, occupied Columbian sharp-tailed grouse range is a potential threat to the subspecies. To assess the potential effects of wind-energy development on vital rates of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse offspring, we monitored 68 broods of radio-marked females captured at 11 leks in restored grasslands within 14 km of a 215-turbine wind-energy development complex in eastern Idaho, USA from 2014–2015. We assessed the influence of wind turbine density, habitat characteristics, brood-rearing female age, hatch date, and weather on brood success and chick survival using an information-theoretic model selection approach. Wind turbine density did not influence early (14-day) brood success, but there was weak evidence for a negative effect of wind turbine density on late (42-day) brood success. There was strong evidence that increasing turbine density within the late brood-rearing home range negatively affected chick survival to 42 days after hatch. The probability of an individual chick surviving to 42 days decreased by 50% when there were ≥10 wind turbines within 2,100m of the nest. Late brood success and chick survival increased with earlier hatch dates. There was weak evidence for positive effects of post-hatch precipitation on early brood success and chick survival and weak evidence that adult females had higher early brood success than yearlings. Habitat characteristics such as vegetation composition in restored grasslands were poor predictors of offspring survival. Multiple variables, including wind-energy development, are important to Columbian sharp-tailed grouse brood success and chick survival. Wildlife managers should consider the potential for negative impacts of wind-energy development on Columbian sharp-tailed grouse recruitment when addressing wind-energy siting and mitigation.

Wildlife management and conservation can be challenging when the demography of a focal species is unknown or limited given that fecundity and adult survival influence population growth. The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) have been reduced to ≤10% of their former range since the early 1900s. We conducted a 3-year study (2015–2017) across 4 study sites in northwestern Colorado, USA, to evaluate female hazard and nest survival. We trapped and marked 270 female sharp-tailed grouse and identified 275 nests for our hazard and survival analyses. Females during the breeding stage of the reproductive season experienced more hazard compared to the nesting and the early and late post-nesting stages for females without broods. Females experienced a higher degree of hazard during the breeding stage and mortality risk was >3 times higher than the nesting stage, >7 times higher than early post-nesting (EPN)-no brood stage, and >5 times higher than the late post-nesting (LPN)-unsuccessful stage. Two reproductive season stages (LPN-successful and EPN-brood) provided marginal inference. Nest incubation initiation date and nest age best described nest daily survival. Females that initiated incubation of initial nests earlier in the season experienced lower nest daily survival than later in the incubation season. Because female Columbian sharp-tailed grouse hazard varied among different reproductive season stages, we recommend that wildlife managers develop management actions that reduce hazard during the specific reproductive season stages (i.e., the breeding season). For Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Colorado, we recommend that Colorado Parks and Wildlife collaborate with federal farm program agencies to implement a no-tillage restriction from 1 May through 30 June for active agricultural fields within 2 km of active Columbian sharp-tailed grouse leks to enhance nest survival.

In Lincoln County, Washington, USA, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) are managed as reintroduced and augmented populations, respectively. Predation by raptors and corvids is a concern, particularly where utility poles may provide hunting perches near leks (i.e., breeding areas). Perch deterrents may offer a mitigating strategy if deterrents reduce the frequency or duration of perching. To investigate the effects of various perch deterrents, we deployed deterrents on 5 power poles retained for use in this study when 33 poles were removed from occupied grouse habitat. We rotated deterrents among poles every 15 to 28 days (x = 19.4 days) from November 17, 2011, through November 20, 2012, so that all deterrents occurred multiple times on all poles. We compared perch frequency and duration on 4 pole caps, 3 insulator deterrents, an untreated control cross arm, and 5 cross-arm-length deterrents: Pupi™ cross arms mounted at a 22° angle from horizontal; Birdzoff™ deterrents; an experimental shroud; Power Line Sentry X™ deterrents; and Zena Designs™ minispike deterrents. We collected 862 independent records of perching events. Raptors and corvids perched most often (χ2 = 146.0, P < 0.0001) on untreated cross arms ( = 0.60 perches/day), and insulator deterrents (x = 0.47 perches/day), and perched least often on pole caps with spikes (x = 0.11 perches/day) and Zena Designs mini-spikes (x = 0.10 perches/day). Perching events were shorter on pole caps with spikes and Zena Designs mini-spikes compared to all other treatments (F8,853 = 23.53, P < 0.0001). Prey captures also were significantly less likely from treated cross arms than from the control cross arm (χ2 = 86.5, df = 4, P < 0.0001). Birds attempting to perch on deterrents often flapped their wings broadly where energized conductors would have existed if the poles had not been decommissioned. On energized poles, electrocution would have been possible in this situation. When perch deterrents are used, insulation or isolation of energized equipment also must be installed to minimize electrocution risk.

In Lincoln County, Washington, USA, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) are managed as reintroduced and augmented populations, respectively. Predation by raptors and corvids is a concern, particularly where utility poles may provide hunting perches near leks (i.e., breeding areas). Perch deterrents may offer a mitigating strategy if deterrents reduce the frequency or duration of perching. To investigate the effects of various perch deterrents, we deployed deterrents on 5 power poles retained for use in this study when 33 poles were removed from occupied grouse habitat. We rotated deterrents among poles every 15 to 28 days (x̄ = 19.4 days) from November 17, 2011, through November 20, 2012, so that all deterrents occurred multiple times on all poles. We compared perch frequency and duration on 4 pole caps, 3 insulator deterrents, an untreated control cross arm, and 5 cross-arm-length deterrents: Pupi™ cross arms mounted at a 22° angle from horizontal; Birdzoff™ deterrents; an experimental shroud; Power Line Sentry X™ deterrents; and Zena Designs™ minispike deterrents. We collected 862 independent records of perching events. Raptors and corvids perched most often (χ² = 146.0, P < 0.0001) on untreated cross arms (x̄ = 0.60 perches/day), and insulator deterrents (x̄ = 0.47 perches/day), and perched least often on pole caps with spikes (x̄ = 0.11 perches/day) and Zena Designs mini-spikes (x̄ = 0.10 perches/day). Perching events were shorter on pole caps with spikes and Zena Designs mini-spikes compared to all other treatments (F8,853 = 23.53, P < 0.0001). Prey captures also were significantly less likely from treated cross arms than from the control cross arm (χ² = 86.5, df = 4, P < 0.0001). Birds attempting to perch on deterrents often flapped their wings broadly where energized conductors would have existed if the poles had not been decommissioned. On energized poles, electrocution would have been possible in this situation. When perch deterrents are used, insulation or isolation of energized equipment also must be installed to minimize electrocution risk.

Prairie grouse populations are difficult to reestablish after extirpation. Following translocation, distances individuals move from the release site appear to affect restoration success. Previous authors have suggested assessing lek, nest–brood, and winter habitat when selecting release sites. We examined movement of 131 (66 M and 65 F) radiomarked Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) translocated during 1999–2002 as part of management effort to restore populations to historical ranges in northeastern Nevada, USA, an area where sharp-tailed grouse have not been observed in the wild since the 1950s. We released grouse at 2 sites. We chose the initial site based on its physiographic and vegetation similarities to capture sites in Idaho, USA, particularly shrub–steppe at lower elevations and mountain shrub at higher elevations, and used it during 1999 and 2000 (34 M, 18 F in 1999; 42 M, 26 F in 2000). Females released at this site moved greater distances than males through time, with no differences between years. We changed the release site based on nest locations of previously translocated females. The second site was 10 km south of site 1 and we used it in 2001 and 2002 (36 M, 22 F in 2001; 14 M, 5 F in 2002). Grouse released at this site moved substantially shorter distances than did the grouse initially released, and movement distances did not differ by gender or year. During 2004 we observed 23 grouse displaying on a lek near site 2 and observed no grouse near site 1. Our results support the hypothesis that nest-site availability is an important component to release-site selection insofar as sharp-tailed grouse in our study moved less when released into habitat that had been selected for nesting by previously released grouse.

During 1999 and 2000 we trapped and radio-marked 156 Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) on leks in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP, n = 73) and mine reclamation (MR, n = 83) lands in northwestern Colorado. Median spring-fall home range sizes using the 95% fixed kernal and minimum convex polygon estimators for 54 grouse were 86 ha and 61 ha, respectively. Median fixed kernal home range size did not differ between males (79 ha) and females (87 ha). Home ranges of grouse associated with CRP (112 ha) were larger than those of grouse in MR (75 ha). Directional orientation of movements from leks of capture to wintering areas was nonrandom, and there was a positive elevation gain (median = 102 m) associated with these movements. Movements did not differ between grouse captured in CRP and MR for any season but did differ between genders for the spring-fall period. Males exhibited stronger fidelity and less variation in their movements than females; 96% of males compared with only 77% of females remained within 2.0 km of their lek of capture from spring through fall. Ninety percent of females nested within 2.5 km of their lek of capture. During winter all grouse were found farther (median = 21.5 km) from lek sites than in any other season. Males remained on the breeding range longer in the fall and returned earlier in the spring than females even though they wintered similar distances away (median males = 21.5 km, median females = 21.4 km). Our findings support the 2.0-km radius used in the Habitat Suitability Index model for Columbian Sharptailed Grouse to assess nest and brood-rearing cover around leks, but not the 6.5-km radius used to evaluate winter cover.

A study was conducted to compile information on prairie grouse restoration projects during the past approximately 50 years and to determine factors related to successful translocations.