Greater Sage-Grouse: Ecology and Conservation of a Landscape Species and Its Habitats (Volume 38) (Studies in Avian Biology)

Admired for its elaborate breeding displays and treasured as a game bird, the Greater Sage-Grouse is a charismatic symbol of the broad open spaces in western North America. Unfortunately these birds have declined across much of their range—which stretches across 11 western states and reaches into Canada—mostly due to loss of critical sagebrush habitat. Today the Greater Sage-Grouse is at the center of a complex conservation challenge. This multifaceted volume, an important foundation for developing conservation strategies and actions, provides a comprehensive synthesis of scientific information on the biology and ecology of the Greater Sage-Grouse. Bringing together the experience of thirty-eight researchers, it describes the bird's population trends, its sagebrush habitat, and potential limitations to conservation, including the effects of rangeland fire, climate change, invasive plants, disease, and land uses such as energy development, grazing, and agriculture. CONTENTS CONTRIBUTORS PREFACE FOREWORD Greater Sage-Grouse and Sagebrush: An Introduction to the Landscape Part I. Management and Conservation Status CHAPTER ONE. Historical Development, Principal Federal Legislation, and Current Management of Sagebrush Habitats: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION CHAPTER TWO. The Legal Status of Greater Sage-Grouse: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF PLANNING EFFORTS PART II. Ecology of Greater Sage-Grouse CHAPTER THREE. Characteristics and Dynamics of Greater Sage-Grouse Populations CHAPTER FOUR. Characteristics of Greater Sage-Grouse Habitats: A LANDSCAPE SPECIES AT MICRO- AND MACROSCALES CHAPTER FIVE. Molecular Insights into the Biology of Greater Sage-Grouse CHAPTER SIX. Predation on Greater Sage-Grouse: FACTS, PROCESS, AND EFFECTS CHAPTER SEVEN. Harvest Management for Greater Sage-Grouse: A CHANGING PARADIGM FOR GAME BIRD MANAGEMENT CHAPTER EIGHT. Parasites and Infectious Diseases of Greater Sage-Grouse CHAPTER NINE. West Nile Virus Ecology in Sagebrush Habitat and Impacts on Greater Sage-Grouse Populations Part III. Ecology of Sagebrush CHAPTER TEN. Characteristics of Sagebrush Habitats and Limitations to Long-Term Conservation CHAPTER ELEVEN. Pre–Euro-American and Recent Fire in Sagebrush Ecosystems CHAPTER TWELVE. Ecological Influence and Pathways of Land Use in Sagebrush CHAPTER THIRTEEN. Influences of the Human Footprint on Sagebrush Landscape Patterns: IMPLICATIONS FOR SAGE-GROUSE CONSERVATION CHAPTER FOURTEEN. Influences of Free-Roaming Equids on Sagebrush Ecosystems, with a Focus on Greater Sage-Grouse Part IV. Population Trends and Habitat Relationships CHAPTER FIFTEEN. Greater Sage-Grouse Population Dynamics and Probability of Persistence CHAPTER SIXTEEN. Connecting Pattern and Process in Greater Sage-Grouse Populations and Sagebrush Landscapes CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. Influences of Environmental and Anthropogenic Features on Greater Sage-Grouse Populations, 1997–2007 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. Factors Associated with Extirpation of Sage-Grouse Part V. Conservation and Management CHAPTER NINETEEN. Greater Sage-Grouse as an Umbrella Species for Shrubland Passerine Birds: A MULTISCALE ASSESSMENT CHAPTER TWENTY. Energy Development and Greater Sage-Grouse CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. Energy Development and Conservation Tradeoffs: SYSTEMATIC PLANNING FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE IN THEIR EASTERN RANGE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. Response of Greater Sage-Grouse to the Conservation Reserve Program in Washington State CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. Restoring and Rehabilitating Sagebrush Habitats CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. Conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse: A SYNTHESIS OF CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT LITERATURE CITED INDEX Series Titles Provides a synthesis of scientific information on the biology and ecology of the Greater Sage-Grouse. Bringing together the experience of thirty-eight researchers, this title describes the bird's population trends, its sagebrush habitat, and potential limitations to conservation.