{"id":94,"date":"2021-02-26T22:13:21","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T22:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/?page_id=94"},"modified":"2026-07-15T23:17:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T23:17:56","slug":"sagebrush-wildlife-conservation-and-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/sagebrush-wildlife-conservation-and-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildlife Conservation &amp; Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wildlife-and-grazing-birds-and-herds\">Wildlife and Grazing: Birds and Herds<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"grazing-season-of-use-effects-on-sagebrush-obligate-songbirds\"><strong>Grazing Season of Use Effects on Sagebrush-obligate Songbirds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/SATHnest-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/SATHnest-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/SATHnest.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Population declines of sagebrush-obligate birds, including Brewer\u2019s sparrow, greater sage-grouse, sagebrush sparrow, and sage thrasher, have occurred since the 1950\u2019s in the Great Basin. While not a primary threat, livestock grazing is the predominant use of sagebrush habitat. However, there is no published literature from a rigorous comparison of direct or indirect effects of livestock grazing on sage-grouse or sagebrush-obligate songbirds.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Status: <\/em>We are currently in the process of writing a final publication including data for the full five years of the study, which includes one year of pre-treatment data (2017) and four years post-treatment data (2018-2021). This final publication will tie together the effects of weather, predator activity, grazing and vegetation on songbird nest survival, nest density and productivity (number of birds fledged from nest). Four publications are complete and available open source.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Completed publications<\/em> (click buttons below to read):\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weather explains differences in sagebrush-obligate songbird nest success under various grazing regimes (2022)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effects of Dormant Season and Contemporary Spring-Summer Grazing on Plant Community Composition in the Sagebrush Ecosystem (2025)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nest predators of sagebrush-obligate songbirds in the Northern Great Basin (2025)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effects of Cattle Grazing on Food Web Dynamics: Meso-predators and Rodents in a Sagebrush Ecosystem (2025)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2351989422000129?dgcid=rss_sd_all\">Grazing, weather and nest success in Global Ecology and Conservation 2022<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S155074242400112X\">Effects on plant community composition in REM 2025<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/wsb.1585\">Nest predators of sagebrush-obligate songbirds in Wildlife Society Bulletin 2025<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1550742425000740\">Grazing effects on food web dynamics in REM 2025<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Completed MS thesis (click to access resources):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ir.library.oregonstate.edu\/concern\/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations\/2514ns933?locale=en\" rel=\"https:\/\/ir.library.oregonstate.edu\/concern\/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations\/2514ns933?locale=en\">Grazing, Weather and Songbird Predator-Prey Dynamics<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/J4a\" style=\"background-color:#054764\" rel=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/J4a\">Recorded 1 hour thesis presentation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-rangeland-mosaic-sage-grouse-cattle-and-predators\">A Rangeland Mosaic: Sage-grouse, Cattle, and Predators <\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59\" style=\"width:271px;height:410px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic-677x1024.jpg 677w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic-768x1162.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic-1015x1536.jpg 1015w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic-1353x2048.jpg 1353w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/grouse-pic.jpg 1407w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Very little is known about potential benefits or threats of\nlivestock grazing on sage-grouse habitat and populations. This project, located\nin Wyoming, is investigating how cattle presence on the landscape may affect\nlocal mammalian and avian sage-grouse predators. It is suspected that there may\nbe some indirect interactions between livestock and avian predators, which may\ndiffer from interactions between livestock and mammalian predators. For\nexample, some unpublished data out of Wyoming suggests higher golden eagle and\nraven abundances near pastures with domestic sheep. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-circle-mask\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_5513-1-scaled-e1581365783751-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61\" style=\"width:269px;height:358px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_5513-1-scaled-e1581365783751-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_5513-1-scaled-e1581365783751-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_5513-1-scaled-e1581365783751-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_5513-1-scaled-e1581365783751-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/02\/IMG_5513-1-scaled-e1581365783751.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Status:<\/em> PhD candidate Kayla Ruth successfully defended her dissertation: Livestock grazing effects on greater sage-grouse ecology: Integrating habitat selection, predator dynamics and reproductive success in Wyoming&#8217;s Bighorn Basin. Kayla is currently revising her thesis to publish. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Completed publications:<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PhD dissertation coming soon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/media.oregonstate.edu\/media\/t\/1_xxhggyr9\">Recorded 1 hour thesis presentation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wildlife-at-risk\">Wildlife at\nRisk<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"RavensGrouseFire\"><strong>Influence of Weeds, Fire, and Ravens on\nSage-Grouse in Baker and Malheur counties<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Ravenwingtag.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27\" style=\"width:205px;height:309px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Ravenwingtag.jpg 425w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Ravenwingtag-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Federal,\nprivate, and state stakeholders are concerned that high raven density has\ncontributed to sage-grouse decline in the Baker Sage-grouse Priority Area for\nConservation (PAC). Thus, we are evaluating sage-grouse and raven interactions\nin (1) the Baker PAC, where lethal removal of ravens has been proposed, (2) a\nPAC in Malheur County proposed to have non-lethal manipulation of ravens, and (3)\nthree reference PACs in Malheur County. We are simultaneously assessing the\neffect of wildfire and invasive annual grasses on sage-grouse habitat use and demographic\nrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Status: <\/em>Two phD students (Lindsey Perry and Terrah Owens) and one masters student (Richard Rich) successfully completed and defended their dissertations\/thesis. Data collection was completed July of 2026 for the final year of lethal raven treatments. Several manuscripts are in progress or in revision and anticipated in the next couple years. Completed publications are listed below.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Completed publications: <\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A novel technique to improve capture success of common ravens (Perry et al 2021)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Landscape configuration impacts the area of spring space use and survival of female sage-grouse (Owens et al 2024)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anthropogenic subsidies and wildfire influence density, occupancy, and species interactions of three avian predators (Owens et al 2025)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additive and interactive effects of wildfire and Corvus corax (Common Raven) density on Centrocercus urophasianus (Greater Sage-Grouse) nest site selection and survival (Owens et al 2026)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evaluating the effects of raven management on sage-grouse nest survival and assessing seasonal movements of GPS-monitored ravens (MS thesis, Rich 2025, available 2026)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raven ecology during breeding season in eastern Oregon and the Great Basin (PhD Dissertation  Perry 2023)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cascading Effects of Anthropogenic Subsidies and Wildfire on Avian Predator Communities and Impacts to Greater Sage-grouse Habitat Selection and Survival (PhD Dissertation Owens 2023)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.unl.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=3634&amp;context=icwdm_usdanwrc\" style=\"background-color:#d36a07\">Novel technique for raven capture in Human-Wildlife Interactions 2021<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.proquest.com\/docview\/3114274028?pq-origsite=gscholar&amp;fromopenview=true&amp;sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals\" style=\"background-color:#d36a07\">Landscape configuration impacts on grouse Landscape Ecology 2024<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/ecs2.70359\" style=\"background-color:#d36a07\">Anthropogenic subsidies &amp; wildfire influence on avian predators in Ecosphere 2025<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar?output=instlink&amp;q=info:rtmha3kGSdUJ:scholar.google.com\/&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=0,38&amp;scillfp=11982816092022441824&amp;oi=lle\" style=\"background-color:#d36a07\">Wildfire &amp; Raven density impacts on Grouse in Ornithological Applications 2026<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Completed Dissertations and Theses<\/strong> (click to access resources)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/beav.es\/q7Q\" style=\"background-color:#f28a40\">Click to Watch Lindsey&#8217;s Defense Seminar Recording (2023)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/q7w\" style=\"background-color:#f28a40\">Click to Watch Terrah&#8217;s Defense Seminar Recording (2023)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/media.oregonstate.edu\/media\/t\/1_npmnkdct\" style=\"background-color:#f28a40\">Click to Watch Rich&#8217;s Thesis Defense Seminar Recording (2025)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ir.library.oregonstate.edu\/concern\/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations\/41687s21n\" style=\"background-color:#f28a40\">Terrah&#8217;s Dissertation: Anthropogenic subsidies and wildfire effects on avian predator communities and greater sage-grouse&nbsp;(2023)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ir.library.oregonstate.edu\/concern\/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations\/bn999g01j?locale=en\" style=\"background-color:#f28a40\">Lindsey&#8217;s Dissertation: Raven ecology during breeding season in eastern Oregon and the Great Basin (2023)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:69px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wildlife-trends-human-environment-or-both\">Wildlife Trends: Human, Environment or Both?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"factors-driving-greater-sage-grouse-trends-in-the-eastern-portion-of-their-range-anthropogenic-fire-habitat-hunting-ravens-and-weather\"><strong>Factors Driving Greater Sage-Grouse Trends in\nthe Eastern Portion of Their Range: Anthropogenic, Fire, Habitat, Hunting,\nRavens, and Weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Degradation\nof sagebrush habitat has occurred throughout the range of sage-grouse. Areas\nwith greater loss of sagebrush habitat are avoided by sage-grouse and are\ncongruent with lower demographic rates and lek extirpation. We are simultaneously\nevaluating the relative importance of habitat and potential predation with\nnumerous anthropogenic, fire, habitat, hunting regulations, raven numbers, weather\nfactors, and prevalence of West Nile virus on lek trends of sage-grouse\npopulations in the eastern range of sage-grouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Completed publications <\/em>(click below to access resources)<em>:<\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Influence of environmental change, harvest exposure, and human disturbance on population trends of greater sage-grouse (2021)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Changes in hunting season regulations (1870s\u20132019) reduce harvest exposure on greater and Gunnison sage-grouse (2021)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased abundance of the common raven within the ranges of greater and Gunnison sage-grouse (2021)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/pdf\/27316282.pdf\" style=\"background-color:#333094f5\">Increased raven abundance within sage grouse range in Human-Wildlife Interactions<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0253635\" style=\"background-color:#333094f5\">Hunting effects on greater and Gunnison Grouse in Plos One<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0257198\" style=\"background-color:#333094f5\">Environmental, harvest and human effects on sage-grouse in Plos One<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:38px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sage-grouse movement responses to human activities, structures, non-native grazers, and predators<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/10\/grouse-project-pic_IanScott-1024x791.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-334\" style=\"width:460px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/10\/grouse-project-pic_IanScott-1024x791.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/10\/grouse-project-pic_IanScott-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/10\/grouse-project-pic_IanScott-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/10\/grouse-project-pic_IanScott-1536x1187.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/10\/grouse-project-pic_IanScott.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While broad-scale delineation of seasonal habitats and factors influencing habitat selection are well underway across the distribution of sage-grouse, there currently is little information on factors influencing movement and connectivity within and among seasonal habitats. Understanding what factors limit (e.g., perceived or physical barriers) or promote sage-grouse movement in and among seasonal habitats is essential to help management agencies increase or maintain the amount of functionally available habitat and promote sustainable populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This project aims to leverage 12 years of existing sage-grouse location data together with ongoing data collection in Wyoming\u2019s Bighorn Basin to answer questions about factors inhibiting or promoting movement of sage-grouse among seasonal habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Status<\/strong>: A new master\u2019s student has completed the first year of new data collection on this project. Analysis will happen concurrently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"CommSites\">Avian Predator Occupancy and Diet at Communication Sites in Sage-Grouse Habitat<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2547\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-220\" style=\"width:260px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-1024x1019.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-768x764.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-1536x1528.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/Nest-with-fence-in-the-front-edited-2048x2038.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Communication towers and transmission lines are now common features across sagebrush landscapes and are often associated with sage-grouse avoidance and lek abandonment. These structures can also provide nesting and perching sites for avian predators, which may change where predators occur on the landscape and how they interact with sage-grouse habitat. This project examines how communication infrastructure relates to the presence, nesting activity, and feeding behavior of ravens and other avian predators in sage-grouse habitat across the western United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study was based on repeated field visits to 1,078 communication sites located within sage-grouse habitat across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, California, and Montana. Field work included searching for predator nests, documenting predator use of communication sites, and collecting pellets, fecal material, and prey remains from nests. Predator diets were evaluated using genetic techniques to identify prey consumed during the sage-grouse nesting season. These data are combined with information on site design and surrounding landscape conditions to better understand how communication infrastructure may influence predator activity in sagebrush systems.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-225\" style=\"width:261px;height:261px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2022\/03\/sarah-working-edited-1.jpg 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Completed publications <\/em>(click below to access resources)<em>:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A comprehensive inventory of communication tower infrastructure across the range of greater and Gunnison sage-grouse. Webster et al 2026 in Scientific Data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A model-based decision support framework for siting communication tower infrastructure to reduce adverse effects on a sagebrush-obligate species. Webster et al 2026 in Global Ecology and Conservation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br><em><strong>Status<\/strong>: <\/em>Two publications in partnership with USGS and USFWS have been completed (click to access resources below. Multi-year data collection is complete; PhD student Shawn Szabo is working on analyses and publication\/dissertation writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2351989426000272\" style=\"background-color:#318773\">Decision Framework for Siting Comm Towers GECCO 2026<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/fj6\" style=\"background-color:#318773\">Inventory of Comm Towers Across Sage-grouse Range Scientific Data 2026<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:38px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"SteensWildlife\">Steens Mountain Area Wildlife and Pollinator Research <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"impact-of-juniper-encroachment-and-removal-in-aspen-and-riparian-areas-on-wildlife-species\"><strong><strong>Impact of Juniper Expansion and Removal in Aspen and Riparian Areas on Wildlife Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We have completed a six year (2019-2024) study to understand how juniper removal from aspen and sagebrush plant communities influences sensitive wildlife. We are specifically interested in the impact removal has on mule deer and avian species. The effect of removing juniper on many wildlife species has been previously studied in sagebrush plant communities, but not in aspen areas within the sagebrush ecosystem. These areas provide critical forage and nesting resources and support a large diversity of birds despite their relatively small size within the greater landscape. Additionally, juniper removal has not been assessed in relation to interactive effects with avian predator abundance. Our project will take the first step in this assessment by gathering data regarding avian predator and habitat relationships. We will also integrate analyses with an ongoing study in Baker and Malheur counties (discussed above) in eastern Oregon. This will increase sample size and interpretations regarding avian ecology in the sagebrush ecosystem. Information from this project will help fill knowledge gaps and inform management decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignright has-nested-images columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"186\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Fawn_Cam1-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Fawn_Cam1-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Fawn_Cam1-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Fawn_Cam1-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Fawn_Cam1-1.jpg 1429w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-id=\"185\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Bird_Camera9-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Bird_Camera9-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Bird_Camera9-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Bird_Camera9-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Bird_Camera9-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2021\/08\/Bird_Camera9-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><strong>Status:<\/strong> <\/em>We have completed six years of data collection (two years of pre-treatment data in 2019 and 2020 and four years of post-treatment data in 2021-2024). Masters student Cara Christensen successfully completed and defended her thesis. One thesis chapter has been published (see publications below) while another is still undergoing peer review.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Anticipated publications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Juniper and aspen plant communities differentially affect tree-associated birds in the sagebrush ecosystem<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seasonal mule deer activity or abundance across gradients of juniper cover and removal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bird community changes across a juniper gradient and in response to juniper removal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Completed <\/strong>Publications (click to access resources)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mule deer occupancy across shrub and mixed juniper-aspen plant communities in the sagebrush ecosystem in (Christensen et al 2026)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Multi-Species Evaluation of Wildlife Responses to Mixed Juniper-Aspen Plant Communities in the Sagebrush Ecosystem (MSc Thesis 2024)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1550742426000692\" style=\"background-color:#0b905f\">Mule Deer Occupancy in Mixed Juniper-Aspen Communities in REM 2026<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/fyJ\" style=\"background-color:#0b905f\">Cara&#8217;s Thesis: A Multi-Species Evaluation of Wildlife Responses to Mixed Juniper-Aspen Plant Communities in the Sagebrush Ecosystem 2024<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Project information and videos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/3vT\" style=\"background-color:#0b905f\">Steens Wildlife Project Promo Video<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/pNS\" style=\"background-color:#0b905f\">Cara&#8217;s thesis defense recording (2024)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/beav.es\/3v5\" style=\"background-color:#0b905f\">Oregon State &#8220;Out There&#8221; Video<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use of Machine Learning and Autonomous Recording Units to Monitor Avian Call Density Following Western Juniper Removal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We are currently using the machine learning based program BirdNET Analyzer to review recordings collected by autonomous recording units placed across Steen\u2019s Mountain and Eastern Oregon\u2019s sagebrush habitat. Selected recorder locations have a history of invasive western juniper removal by federal and state land management organizations. By analyzing these recordings, we hope to better understand the impact juniper removal has on avian call density.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact of western juniper removal on avian species has been studied previously, but few researchers have employed machine learning as a tool to monitor the response of avian species to juniper management. Even fewer have focused on the response of breeding sparrow species, especially of the \u201chabitat generalist\u201d vesper sparrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the use of machine learning based analysis in bioacoustics research is still in its early years, this study aims to reinforce the capabilities and benefits associated with the use of programs like BirdNET Analyzer and autonomous recording units. This study will also expand our knowledge of avian behavior and sagebrush ecosystem management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Status<\/em><\/strong>: All sound recording have been collected and we have a new MSc graduate student on board who is currently analyzing sound recordings with BirdNET Analyzer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pollinator Community Responses to Invasive Annual Grass Dynamics and Resulting Shifts in Floral Resource Availability Within Oregon Sagebrush Ecosystems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/11\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-342\" style=\"width:413px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/11\/image.png 666w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2025\/11\/image-300x297.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Invasive annual grasses are reshaping sagebrush ecosystems across the west, impacting ecological functions that sustain diverse wildlife and plant communities that depend on these systems. Simultaneously, global declines in pollinator populations have heightened concerns about the trophic impacts of ecosystems deprived of pollination services. Despite their critical role in supporting plant and wildlife communities, pollinators remain understudied in sagebrush habitats, particularly with respect to how grass invasion influences their functional roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This project employs a multi-faceted approach to evaluate bee community responses along a gradient of annual grass invasion. Using both active and passive sampling, coupled with an in-depth analysis of floral community composition, this study generates insights into how invasive grasses disrupt plant\u2013pollinator networks in sagebrush ecosystems. Findings will inform conservation strategies aimed at maintaining biodiversity and ecological resilience in core sagebrush habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Status<\/strong>: Masters student Lauren Gramberg has completed data collection for both the 2024 and 2025 field seasons and had moved into the analysis stage, with hopes to complete her thesis in Fall of 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"identifying-critical-winter-wildlife-habitat\">Identifying Critical Winter Wildlife Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"identification-of-winter-concentration-areas-for-sage-grouse-in-wyoming-abundance-and-resource-selection\"><strong>Identification of Winter Concentration Areas\nfor Sage-Grouse in Wyoming: Abundance and Resource Selection.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/AustinGRSG.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-31\" style=\"width:430px;height:322px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/AustinGRSG.jpg 640w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/AustinGRSG-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Availability and use of winter habitat\nby sage-grouse can influence populations but is often overlooked when\nprioritizing areas for sage-grouse conservation. Wyoming has identified the\nneed to delineate winter concentration areas (WCAs), which have been defined as\nareas with consistently &gt;50 sage-grouse during the winter. This study was\ndesigned to detect locations of unknown WCAs while assessing abundance and\nresource selection to better understand sage-grouse use of winter habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Completed publications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quantifying overlap and fitness consequences of migration strategy with seasonal habitat use and a conservation policy (Dinkins et al 2017)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Approaches to delineate greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas (Smith, Dinkins and Beck 2019)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/ecs2.1991\">Migration strategy &amp; seasonal habitat use in Ecosphere 2017<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/jwmg.21738\">Approaches to delineate greater sage-grouse winter concentration areas in JWM 2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"umbrella\">Wildlife Conservation: The Umbrella Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"effectiveness-of-sage-grouse-as-an-umbrella-species-for-sagebrush-obligate-songbirds\"><strong>Effectiveness of Greater Sage-grouse as an *Umbrella Species for Sagebrush-obligate Songbirds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/11\/SATH_babes_iButton-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Sage thrasher chicks with a temperature logger in the nest with them used to monitor nest survival\" class=\"wp-image-75\" style=\"width:351px;height:263px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/11\/SATH_babes_iButton-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/11\/SATH_babes_iButton-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/11\/SATH_babes_iButton-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/11\/SATH_babes_iButton-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2020\/11\/SATH_babes_iButton-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sagebrush habitat management across the western United States has traditionally centered on greater sage-grouse biology, with the assumption that conservation actions targeting sage-grouse will also benefit other wildlife that depend on sagebrush ecosystems. However, a key knowledge gap remains: to what extent do sage-grouse\u2013focused management and policy actually protect sagebrush\u2011obligate songbirds, such as Brewer\u2019s sparrow, sagebrush sparrow, and sage thrasher? Despite the ecological and management importance of these species, relatively little published research exists on their population status, reproductive ecology, or responses to landscape\u2011level threats across the western sagebrush biome. To address this gap, we conducted two complementary research efforts. First, Master\u2019s student Alan Harrington<strong> <\/strong>conducted a multi\u2011scale assessment of sagebrush\u2011obligate songbird abundance, habitat associations, and landscape\u2011level threats (thesis linked below). Research led by Dr. Jon Dinkins led a conservation\u2011policy analysis comparing how sage-grouse protections translate\u2014or fail to translate\u2014into policy benefits for other sagebrush\u2011obligate species. This work evaluates whether umbrella\u2011species assumptions hold within real-world regulatory frameworks and land\u2011use policies. Together, these two studies provide both ecological and policy perspectives needed to understand umbrella\u2011species efficacy across the sagebrush biome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Status:<\/em> The conservation policy paper was published in Human-Wildlife Interactions in 2019. Master&#8217;s student Alan Harrington successfully defended his thesis: &#8220;Assessing Sagebrush-obligate Songbird Abundance: Considerations of Landscape-level Threats and Umbrella Species Efficacy&#8221; in 2022. The publication is awaiting publication of sage-grouse variables from the eastern Oregon Raven\/Sage-grouse project described above to be included in this analysis. Anticipated re-analyses in 2027 and publication in 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Anticipated and published publications:<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Comparison of conservation policy benefits for an umbrella and related sagebrush-obligate species (Dinkins and Beck 2019)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assessing Sagebrush-obligate Songbird Abundance: Considerations of Landscape-level Threats and Umbrella Species Efficacy (MSc Thesis Harrington 2022)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evaluating sagebrush-obligate songbird abundance under the greater sage-grouse umbrella; Sagebrush-obligate songbird productivity in relation to greater sage-grouse use vs available locations (Anticipated 2027\/28)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Definitions: <\/em>*Umbrella Species\u2014an umbrella species is defined as a species whose conservation is expected to confer protection to a large number of naturally co\u2010occurring species.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Links to Publications\/Thesis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/27316148?seq=1\">Conservation policy benefits for an umbrella  in Human-Wildlife Interactions 2019<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ir.library.oregonstate.edu\/concern\/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations\/r781wp83k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sagebrush-obligate songbird abundance &amp; umbrella species efficacy Harrington 2022<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sage-grouse-and-predators-in-core-areas\">Sage-Grouse and Predators in \u201cCore\u201d Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"habitat-quality-of-sage-grouse-core-areas-relative-to-avian-and-mammalian-predators\"><strong>Habitat Quality of Sage-Grouse Core Areas\nRelative to Avian and Mammalian Predators.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"789\" src=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Badger_ClaireRevekant_WY_LincolnCounty-1024x789.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28\" style=\"width:405px;height:311px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Badger_ClaireRevekant_WY_LincolnCounty-1024x789.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Badger_ClaireRevekant_WY_LincolnCounty-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Badger_ClaireRevekant_WY_LincolnCounty-768x592.jpg 768w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Badger_ClaireRevekant_WY_LincolnCounty-1536x1183.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3611\/files\/2019\/12\/Badger_ClaireRevekant_WY_LincolnCounty-2048x1577.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While\nhuman development influences sage-grouse, development also increases subsidies\nfor avian and mammalian predators. High predator abundance can negatively\ninfluence sage-grouse demographic rates. Wyoming\u2019s Sage-Grouse Core Area Policy\nadded protections to important habitat for sage-grouse by reducing human\ndevelopment, and Core Areas have maintained higher sage-grouse trends compared\nto Non-Core Areas. We are comparing predator abundance within and outside Core\nAreas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Status: <\/em>&nbsp;Master&#8217;s student Claire Revekant successfully defended her master&#8217;s thesis: &#8220;Comparison of Common Ravens in Sage-grouse Core and Non-Core Areas: Assessing Predator Densities Related to Anthropogenic Features.&#8221; Thesis chapters are currently being revised for submission to peer-refereed journals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ir.library.oregonstate.edu\/concern\/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations\/t148fq43s?locale=en\" style=\"background-color:#8c2323\">Ravens in Wyoming Sage-grouse Core\/Non-Core areas (2022)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wildlife and Grazing: Birds and Herds Grazing Season of Use Effects on Sagebrush-obligate Songbirds Population declines of sagebrush-obligate birds, including Brewer\u2019s sparrow, greater sage-grouse, sagebrush sparrow, and sage thrasher, have occurred since the 1950\u2019s in the Great Basin. While not a primary threat, livestock grazing is the predominant use of sagebrush habitat. However, there is&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/sagebrush-wildlife-conservation-and-management\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9234,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-94","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9234"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":382,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94\/revisions\/382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/sagehabitatteam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}