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- Larger Work: This publication is Chapter 2 of Sagebrush ecosystem conservation and management: Ecoregional assessment tools and models for the Wyoming Basins
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Abstract
Selection of species of concern is a critical early step in conducting broad-scale ecological assessments for conservation planning and management. Many criteria can be used to guide this selection, such as conservation status, existing knowledge base, and association with plant communities of interest. In conducting the Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment (WBEA), we followed a step-wise process to select vascular plant and vertebrate species of concern. Based on our selection process, we identified 65 taxa of sagebrush-associated (Artemisia spp.) vascular plants of conservation concern. The vast majority were forbs, and nearly all are found in Wyoming (n = 59; 91%), reflecting its central location and spatial dominance (51%) of the study area. Forty-eight plants (74%) were ranked either S1 or S2 (state-level ranks indicating imperilment due to rarity, threats, or other factors) in at least one state within the assessment area. Forty vertebrates of concern were selected for our assessment, including 17 mammals, 18 birds, and 4 reptiles. Among these were 7 vertebrates commonly considered sagebrush-obligate species: sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli), Brewer’s sparrow (Spizella breweri), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), and pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). Several vertebrate species of concern in the Wyoming Basins are either rare or imperiled, including black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and Wyoming pocket gopher (Thomomys clusius).
Study Area
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
| Title | Chapter 2: Sagebrush-associated species of conservation concern |
| Chapter | 2 |
| ISBN | 978-0-615-55530-0 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Allen Press |
| Publisher location | Lawrence, Kansas |
| Contributing office(s) | Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center |
| Description | 23 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Monograph |
| Larger Work Title | Sagebrush ecosystem conservation and management: Ecoregional assessment tools and models for the Wyoming Basins |
| First page | 46 |
| Last page | 68 |
| Public Comments | The U.S. Geological Survey has been given express permission by the publisher to provide full-text access online for this publication, and is posted with the express permission from the Publications Warehouse Guidance Subcommittee |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |