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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #261510
Title: Looking toward a brighter future for lekking grouse

Author
item Boyd, Chad
item PETERSEN, STEPHEN - Brigham Young University
item GILGERT, WENDELL - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item RODGERS, RANDY - Kansas Department Of Wildlife And Parks
item FUHLENDORF, SAM - Oklahoma State University
item LARSEN, RANDY - Brigham Young University
item WOLFE, DON - Gm Sutton Avian Research Center
item JENSEN, K.C. - South Dakota State University
item GONZALES, PHIL - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item NENNEMAN, MELVIN - Us Fish And Wildlife Service
item DANVIR, RICK - Desert Land And Livestock
item DAHLGREN, DAVID - Utah State University
item MESSMER, TERRY - Utah State University

Submitted to: Rangelands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2011
Publication Date: 12/1/2011
Citation: Boyd, C.S., Petersen, S., Gilgert, W., Rodgers, R., Fuhlendorf, S., Larsen, R., Wolfe, D., Jensen, K., Gonzales, P., Nenneman, M., Danvir, R., Dahlgren, D., Messmer, T. 2011. Looking toward a brighter future for lekking grouse. Rangelands. 33(6):2-11. doi: 10.2111/1551-501X-33.6.2.

Interpretive Summary: The current range of lekking birds, including greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chickens and lesser prairie chickens, covers most of the rangeland in the western and central United States as well as portions southern Canada; while all of these species are experiencing generalized population declines within this range, contemporary literature has emphasized the depth of these declines rather than discuss proactive solutions to the problem. Here we present a synopsis of a symposium that focuses on successful or promising management strategies and researchers who are making positive strides in increasing our knowledge of lekking birds and their habitats. Results of this symposium suggest that management of lekking bird habitat can be improved by creating the species-specific habitat heterogeneity needed to compliment all seasonal habitat needs. Managing lekking bird habitat using the principle of heterogeneity will allow practitioners to tailor general habitat requirements to the unique environmental conditions present on lands within the management purview.

Technical Abstract: The current range of lekking birds, including greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chickens and lesser prairie chickens, covers most of the rangeland in the western and central United States as well as portions southern Canada. All of these species are experiencing generalized population declines within their range and contemporary literature has emphazsized the depth of these declines rather than discuss proactive solutions. Here we present a synopsis of a symposium that focuses on successful or promising management strategies and researchers who are making positive strides in increasing our knowledge of lekking birds and their habitats.