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Job Progress Report:
Project #3 Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration December 2001 Job 1. Continue
analysis and publication of research on sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed
grouse in north-central Washington: ABSTRACT: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) historically occurred in shrubsteppe and meadow-steppe communities throughout much of eastern Washington. The decline in distribution has been dramatic; 74% of 68 lek complexes documented since 1960 are currently vacant. Many vacant lek complexes (52%) are in areas where sagegrouse have been extirpated since 1960. The current range is about 8% of the historic range, occurring in 2 relatively isolated areas. Based on changes in number of males counted on lek complexes, the sage-grouse population size in Washington declined by approximately 85% from 1960 to 2001; the 2001 spring population was estimated to be about 700 birds. Historic and recent declines of greater sage-grouse are linked to conversion of native habitat for production of crops and degradation of the remaining native habitat. Although declines in populations of sage-grouse appear to be slowing, the small size and isolated nature of the 2 remaining populations may be a long-term problem. Management should be directed toward protecting, enhancing, expanding, and connecting the existing populations. Job 1. Continue
analysis and publication of research on sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed
grouse in north-central Washington: ABSTRACT: One hundred sixteen (28 male and 88 female) Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were captured and fitted with radio-transmitters in a fragmented area of north-central Washington. Although 21 of 22 adult males (including 3 birds captured as yearlings) were observed visiting only one lek, 4 of 9 yearling males were observed visiting 2 leks. The average distance between visited leks was 10.6 km, which was similar to the average distance between neighboring leks. Twenty-four of 78 females (not counting 10 females with only 1 lek visit) were observed visiting at least 2 leks, 8 females visited at least 3 leks. The average distance between visited leks was 13.1 km. The average distance between a female's first nest and her renest (following failure of the first nest) was 2.0 km for adults and 6.3 km for yearlings. The average distance between a female's nest in one year and her subsequent nest in the next year was 1.6 km when her first nest was successful and 5.2 when her first nest was unsuccessful. These results indicate that fidelity of Greater Sage-Grouse in north-central Washington is substantially lower than in other areas. In addition to the general trends, there were unusual examples of adult females moving substantial distances to renest (26.6 km) and nest in subsequent years (32.4 km). Although the relationship between the behavior of Greater Sage-Grouse and the fragmented habitat is a possible explanation for the unusual observations, there was no direct evidence showing a correlation between fidelity and habitat availability. Job 1. Continue
analysis and publication of research on sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed
grouse in north-central Washington: ABSTRACT: Research was initiated in 1993 to evaluate the diversity and density of breeding birds in relation to restoration efforts for sharp-tailed grouse on state-owned meadow- and shrub-steppe habitats in Washington. Fixed radius point surveys were conducted between 29 May and 17 June, 1993-2001, at the Swanson Lakes, West Foster Creek, Central Ferry Canyon, Chesaw, and Scotch Creek Wildlife Areas. A total of 146 different bird species were observed on the 5 wildlife areas; the average density at all survey points combined was 117 birds/km2. Bird diversity and density were highest in wetland habitats, second highest in riparian habitats, and lowest in upland habitats. Density was highest on the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area and diversity was highest on the Scotch Creek and Chesaw Wildlife Areas. Both density and diversity were lowest on the Central Ferry Canyon and West Foster Creek Wildlife Areas. Diversity and density were not obviously different between control (off wildlife areas) and treatment areas (on wildlife areas). These bird surveys are part of long-term research that is needed to evaluate habitat management and restoration efforts. Job 2. Efforts
to translocate Columbian sharp-tailed grouse into critical areas of northcentral
Washington will continue: ABSTRACT: Forty-three sharp-tailed grouse were captured near Rockland in southeastern Idaho and near Nespelem in north-central Washington in March-April, 1998 and 1999. Captured birds were fitted with radio transmitters and transported to the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area northwest of Omak, Washington. The release site was approximately 400 meters from the only active lek on the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area. The first three birds to die were among a group of seven birds that was released approximately 48 hours after capture during 1998; most of the other 40 birds were released either 4 or 24 hours after capture in 1998 and 1999. The overall survival rate for the first 4 months after release was 47.7%. Survival did not differ significantly by sex, year, source population, and time between capture and release. Although only 2 males were observed on the Scotch Creek lek prior to the translocation in 1998, a maximum of 11 birds was observed on the Scotch Creek lek following release in both 1998 and 1999. More than 1800 observations of radio-marked birds indicated that translocated birds moved throughout much of the Okanogan Valley. One female was observed 34 km from the release location. Females nested an average of 5.1 km from their release location; the distances were significantly less in 1999 than in 1998. Despite the long movements, most birds appeared to become established on, or adjacent to, the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area. The 2 females that were exceptions became established in the Tunk Valley and near Siwash Creek; both areas had existing populations of sharp-tailed grouse. The average date for initiation of incubation was 13 May and the rate of nest success was 53%. Thirteen chicks were known to be alive at the end of the breeding season. Research on the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area will continue as long as radio-marked birds can be located. Updated information on survival, movement, habitat use, and productivity will be evaluated to determine the success of the sharp-tailed grouse transplant and habitat restoration efforts on the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, and the need and methodologies for future translocation efforts. Job 3. Obtain
information on genetic variation and identification of sage grouse and
Columbian sharp-tailed grouse within the remaining populations in North
America:
INTRODUCTION: The
historical range of the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus
columbianus) extended from the steppe- and shrub-dominated habitats
in the inter-mountain regions from British Columbia south to California,
Nevada, and Utah, and east to western Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. The
subspecies has been extirpated from most of its range and exists now as
remnant and isolated populations. The core of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse
distribution now exists as scattered populations in southeast Idaho and
northern Utah where 50-70% of the subspecies total abundance currently resides
(USFWS, 1999). The decline of sharp-tailed grouse in Washington has been
precipitous and extreme, and it now exist in only six to eight small and
fragmented populations in Douglas, Lincoln, and Okanogan Counties (Hays
et al., 1998).
As part of Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife’s continuing assessment of the status of and recovery
efforts for sharp-tailed grouse in the state, we have initiated a project
to evaluate this subspecies’ geographic structure and population genetics
in Washington and neighboring states. One of the primary objectives of
this study is to determine the genetic relationships of the existing Columbian
sharp-tailed grouse populations. The purpose of this activity is to determine
if cross-transplanting birds from neighboring populations within Washington
or moving birds from viable population in Idaho and Utah into Washington
is feasible and appropriate. In addition, a genetic analysis of Columbian
sharp-tailed grouse populations would also permit us to evaluate the degree
to which the small and isolated populations in Washington have experienced
a loss of genetic diversity either through genetic drift or inbreeding.
A loss in genetic diversity may be associated with or foretell a decrease
in overall population fitness, similar to that which occurred in the congeneric
greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido; Bouzat et al., 1998a,b).
The purpose of this document
is to report the results of a preliminary analysis of the population genetics
of Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, primarily from two general localities
in Washington and Idaho. The activities associated with the report were
funded by US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM; Contract
# HWP000025). The intent of this initial project was to develop laboratory
protocols for the amplification and scoring of microsatellite loci, and
to provide a preliminary assessment of genetic diversity and geographic
structure of Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Job 4. Evaluate
management of ring-necked pheasants in eastern Washington with emphasis
on the specific cost-effectiveness of habitat restoration efforts: Job 5. Evaluate
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with respect to critical species of
wildlife including sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and ring-necked pheasants:
SUMMARY: Although
most of eastern Washington was historically dominated by shrub-steppe habitat,
the vast majority has been altered by conversion, degradation, and fragmentation.
The remaining habitat often appears to be insufficient to support numerous
species of wildlife that are dependent on shrub-steppe habitat for all,
or a portion, of their life cycle. Consequently, many species dependent
on shrub-steppe habitat are faced with declining distributions and populations,
and ultimately with an increased risk of extinction. In an effort to slow
the decline of the shrub-steppe ecosystem, substantial resources have been
dedicated to the acquisition and/or restoration of > 5,000 km2
in eastern Washington. This include lands enrolled in the federally-administered
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), lands directly administered by federally
agencies (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Forest Service, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, and Bureau
of Reclamation), and wildlife areas owned by the state of Washington.
Unfortunately, because these
restoration efforts are being administered by a variety of government
agencies and private organizations and individuals, there is no unified
goal to address the long-term problems with quantity, quality, and configuration
of shrub-steppe habitat. In addition, there is shortage of basic information
about the habitat requirements of shrub-steppe wildlife (such as sage
grouse and sharp-tailed grouse), the quantity, quality, and configuration
of existing shrub-steppe habitat, and the effectiveness of ongoing strategies
to restore shrub-steppe habitat. The overall goal of this project is to
achieve a basic understanding of the extent and condition of existing
and restored shrub-steppe resources in eastern Washington and how human-caused
changes in the landscape influence wildlife associated with shrub-steppe.
This project is designed to accomplish several specific goals including:
1) augment understanding of relationships between existing shrub-steppe
habitat and species of wildlife dependent on shrub-steppe; 2) evaluate
the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to restore shrub-steppe; 3) obtain
necessary information about species-habitat relationships for species
that depend on shrub-steppe; 4) develop cooperative relationships between
private, government, and conservation entities that will help ensure the
attainment of conservation objectives; and 5) disseminate information
that will facilitate the management, protection, and restoration of the
shrub-steppe ecosystem.
Initial plans are being developed
to implement this research in Washington. The first step (scheduled for
2002) is to map the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) habitat in eastern
Washington. The new mapping effort will update and expand an earlier database
described by Jacobson and Snyder (2000, Shrubsteppe mapping of eastern
Washington using Landsat Satellite Thematic Mapper data, Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife). The second effort is to select study areas for
an evaluation of habitat quality in ‘restored’ shrub-steppe habitats.
The habitat characteristics to be examined include: 1) landscape configuration
in relation to existing shrub-steppe habitat; 2) patch size; 3) type and
diversity of vegetation planted in the ‘restored’ patches; and 4) time
since the restoration effort was initiated. The habitat characteristics
will be compared with the abundance of wildlife species dependent on shrub-steppe
habitat, including sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse.
Job 6. Conduct
pilot research to evaluate forest grouse management strategy: INTRODUCTION: Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), spruce grouse (Dendragapus canadensis), and blue grouse (D. obscurus) are important wildlife resources in the forests of north-central Washington, particularly in Region 2. In addition to providing important hunting opportunities, forest-dwelling grouse are integral components of their respective ecosystems. In 1953 surveys were initiated to evaluate the overall demography of forest grouse populations and patterns of hunting pressure. Between 1953 and 2000 surveys consisted of check stations, line transects, wing barrels, hunter questionnaires, and observation and recovery of banded birds. The subsequent analysis of these surveys addresses numerous questions. 1) What is the distribution of grouse harvest with respect to species and age? 2) Does the distribution of harvest vary between area and year? 3) Does hunter success rate (hours/recovered grouse) vary between area and year? 4) Is the proportion of juveniles positively correlated with estimates of harvest? 5) How do the different survey techniques compare with regard to efficiency of data collection and quality of information? |
