The effect of vegetation structure on predation of artificial greater sage-grouse nests
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Authors: M. E. Watters, T. L. McLash, C. L. Aldrige, and R. M. Brigham
Date: 2002
Journal: Ecoscience
Volume: 9
Number: 3
Pages: 314-319
Summary of Methods: Watters et al. examined the influence of vegetation cover and height on the fate of artificial Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) nests. Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) were the primary predators of artificial nests, with some predation by badgers (Taxidea taxus). Successful nests tended to be surrounded by shorter sagebrush, taller grasses, and taller, denser forbs than predated nests. Trimming grass around the nests did not affect nest fate. However, ground squirrels typically attacked nests with less forb cover and fewer sagebrush, and avian predators tended to destroy nests at inactive leks with greater lateral cover. These results suggest implementing management strategies that improve sagebrush habitat by providing tall, dense forbs and sagebrush, which could increase Greater Sage-Grouse nest success and recruitment.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: greater sage-grouse, centrocercus urophasianus, vegetation structure, predation, artificial nests, conservation, endangered species, vegetation cover
Annotation: Clipping grass around nests to less than or equal to height of 10 cm.
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