Use Of Habitat By Sympatrically Occuring Sage Grouse And Sharp-Tailed Grouse With Broods

Authors(s): J. H. Klott

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

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Location: Laramie WY

Abstract: Habitats used by sage grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse with broods were characterized. Sage grouse broods used sagebrush-grass and sagebrush-bitterbrush, while sharp-tailed grouse broods were found in sagebrush-snowberry and mountain shrub habitat sites. Both grouse species used areas within habitat sites with less shrub cover than average for the sites. Discriminant analysis indicated that sharp-tailed grouse broods were associated with sites containing snowberry, bulbous oniongrass and sulpher buckwheat. Sites used by sage grouse broods typically had needle and thread grass and desert alyssum and were without snowberry. Impacts of livestock grazing, habitat alteration and energy development were assessed, based on characteristics of sites occupied by the two grouse species. Heavy grazing is deleterious to both species of grouse, while low to moderate grazing potentially benefits sage grouse more than sharp-tailed grouse. Treatment of extensive areas with herbicides or prescribed fire is detrimental to both grouse species. Prescribed fire may benefit sharp-tailed grouse more than sage grouse.

Keywords: Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, animal, bird, ornithology, Aves, sharp-tailed grouse, grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus, sage grouse, Centrocercus uraphasianus, habitat, livestock, oil and gas drilling, human activity