Nesting habitat selection by sage grouse in southcentral Washington
Journal of Range Management
By: C.M. Sveum, W.D. Edge, and J.A. Crawford
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Abstract
To characterize western sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus phaios Bonaparte) nesting habitat in sagebrush-steppe habitat in Washington, we initiated a study on the Yakima Training Center to determine nesting habitat characteristics and whether these characteristics differed between successful and depredated nests. Most nests (71%) were in big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata Nutt.)/bunchgrass communities. Nest habitat was characterized by greater shrub cover, shrub height, vertical cover height, residual cover, and litter than at random locations. Successful 1-m2 nest sites within big sagebrush/bunchgrass in 1992 had less shrub cover (51%) and shrub height (64 cm) than depredated nest sites (70% and 90 cm, respectively). Successful 77-m2 nest areas in big sagebrush/bunchgrass in 1993 had more tall grass (??? 18 cm) than depredated nest areas. Management that protects the big sagebrush/bunchgrass community is essential for maintaining nesting habitat for sage grouse.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Nesting habitat selection by sage grouse in southcentral Washington |
| Series title | Journal of Range Management |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Range Management |
| First page | 265 |
| Last page | 269 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |