Assessing lek attendance of male greater sage‐grouse using fine‐resolution GPS data: Implications for population monitoring of lek mating grouse

Wann, Gregory T.; Coates, Peter S.; Prochazka, Brian G.; Severson, John P.; Monroe, Adrian P.; Aldridge, Cameron L.

doi:10.1002/1438-390x.1019

Cited by 21 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(91 reference statements)

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“…, Wann et al. ). Yearlings also may attend alternative leks more often than adults (Emmons and Braun , Schroeder and Robb , but see Gibson et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Wann et al. ), contributing to lower lek attendance rates. In addition, we estimated that some males did not attend a lek at all in a given year, and therefore could not be detected by lek counts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additional details on local climate and floristic composition of sites are reported in Wann et al. ().…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Wann et al. ). As a result, trends in sage‐grouse populations are typically estimated using the maximum observed number of males from repeated counts each year at each lek (hereafter, peak counts; Connelly et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Wann et al. ), yet age is difficult to ascertain during counts. Yearlings also may remain on the periphery of leks where they are less visible (Jenni and Hartzler ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The importance of simulation assumptions when evaluating detectability in population models

et al. 2019

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Population monitoring is important for investigating a variety of ecological questions, and N‐mixture models are increasingly used to model population size (N) and trends (λ) while estimating detectability (p) from repeated counts within primary periods (when populations are closed to changes). Extending these models to dynamic processes with serial dependence across primary periods may relax the closure assumption, but simulations to evaluate models and inform effort (e.g., number of repeated counts) typically assume p is constant or random across sites and years. Thus, it is unknown how these models perform under scenarios where trends in p confound inferences on N and λ, and conclusions regarding effort may be overoptimistic. Here, we used global positioning system data from greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to inform simulations of the detection process for lek counts of this species, and we created scenarios with and without linear annual trends in p. We then compared estimates of N and λ from hierarchical population models either fit with single maximum counts or with detectability estimated from repeated counts (dynamic N‐mixture models). We also explored using auxiliary data to correct counts for variation in detectability. Uncorrected count models consistently underestimated N by >50%, whereas N‐mixture models without auxiliary data underestimated N to a lesser degree due to unmodeled heterogeneity in p such as age. Nevertheless, estimates of λ from both types of models were unbiased and similar for scenarios without trends in p. When p declined systematically across years, uncorrected count models underestimated λ, whereas N‐mixture models estimated λ with little bias when all sites were counted repeatedly. Auxiliary data also reduced bias in parameter estimates. Evaluating population models using scenarios with systematic variation in p may better reveal potential biases and inform effort than simulations that assume p is constant or random. Dynamic N‐mixture models can distinguish between trends in p and N, but also require repeated counts within primary periods for accurate estimates. Auxiliary data may be useful when researchers lack repeated counts, wish to monitor more sites less intensively, or require unbiased estimates of N.

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“…, Wann et al. ). Yearlings also may attend alternative leks more often than adults (Emmons and Braun , Schroeder and Robb , but see Gibson et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additional details on local climate and floristic composition of sites are reported in Wann et al. ().…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Wann et al. ), yet age is difficult to ascertain during counts. Yearlings also may remain on the periphery of leks where they are less visible (Jenni and Hartzler ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The importance of simulation assumptions when evaluating detectability in population models

et al. 2019

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Backpack satellite transmitters reduce survival but not nesting propensity or success of greater sage‐grouse

Stevens,

Conway,

Tisdale

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Telemetry technology is ubiquitous for studying the behavior and demography of wildlife, including the use of traditional very high frequency (VHF) radio telemetry and more recent methods that record animal locations using global positioning systems (GPS). Satellite‐based GPS telemetry allows researchers to collect high spatial–temporal resolution data remotely but may also come with additional costs. For example, recent studies from the southern Great Basin suggested GPS transmitters attached via backpacks may reduce the survival of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) relative to VHF transmitters attached via collars that have been in use for decades. While some evidence suggests GPS backpacks reduce survival, no studies have examined the effects of GPS backpacks on breeding behavior and success. Therefore, we compared survival, breeding behavior, and nest success of sage‐grouse hens marked with both VHF collars and GPS backpack transmitter over a 7‐year period in central Idaho, USA. GPS backpacks reduced spring–summer survival of sage‐grouse hens relative to hens with VHF collars, where daily mortality probability was 68%–82% higher from March 1 to August 1. Yet satellite GPS backpacks did not consistently affect nest success or the likelihood or timing of nest initiation relative to VHF collars. Daily nest survival varied annually and with timing of nest initiation and nest age, but marginal effects of transmitter type were statistically insignificant and interactions between transmitter type and study year produced no meaningful patterns. Our results corroborate recent studies for the effect of satellite GPS backpacks on sage‐grouse survival, but also suggest that these transmitters do not appear to affect components of fecundity. Our results therefore add important context to recent debate surrounding the effects of GPS backpacks on sage‐grouse, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of different transmitter types for understanding behavior and population dynamics.

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Greater sage‐grouse respond positively to intensive post‐fire restoration treatments

Poessel

Barnard

Applestein

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Habitat loss is the most prevalent threat to biodiversity in North America. One of the most threatened landscapes in the United States is the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem, much of which has been fragmented or converted to non‐native grasslands via the cheatgrass‐fire cycle. Like many sagebrush obligates, greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) depend upon sagebrush for food and cover and are affected by changes to this ecosystem. We investigated habitat selection by 28 male greater sage‐grouse during each of 3 years after a 113,000‐ha wildfire in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Idaho and Oregon. During the study period, seeding and herbicide treatments were applied for habitat restoration. We evaluated sage‐grouse responses to vegetation and post‐fire restoration treatments. Throughout the 3 years post‐fire, sage‐grouse avoided areas with high exotic annual grass cover but selected strongly for recovering sagebrush and moderately strongly for perennial grasses. By the third year post‐fire, they preferred high‐density sagebrush, especially in winter when sagebrush is the primary component of the sage‐grouse diet. Sage‐grouse preferred forb habitat immediately post‐fire, especially in summer, but this selection preference was less strong in later years. They also selected areas that were intensively treated with herbicide and seeded with sagebrush, grasses, and forbs, although these responses varied with time since treatment. Wildfire can have severe consequences for sagebrush‐obligate species due to loss of large sagebrush plants used for food and for protection from predators and thermal extremes. Our results show that management efforts, including herbicide application and seeding of plants, directed at controlling exotic annual grasses after a wildfire can positively affect habitat selection by sage‐grouse.

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Assessing lek attendance of male greater sage‐grouse using fine‐resolution GPS data: Implications for population monitoring of lek mating grouse

Cited by 21 publications

References 45 publications

The importance of simulation assumptions when evaluating detectability in population models

The importance of simulation assumptions when evaluating detectability in population models

Backpack satellite transmitters reduce survival but not nesting propensity or success of greater sage‐grouse

Greater sage‐grouse respond positively to intensive post‐fire restoration treatments

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