Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Idaho
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Idaho Project

Effects of cattle grazing on demographic traits of greater sage-grouse

January 2014 - December 2024

Personnel

Participating Agencies

  • USDI Bureau Of Land Management(USBLM)
  • USDI Bureau Of Land Management
  • The Bureau of Land Management
  • ISBOE Working landscapes Research
  • Idaho Department of Fish & Game
  • US Geological Survey
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game

The greater sage-grouse was once widespread within sagebrush-grassland ecosystems of western North America, but populations declined substantially during the 20th century. Given the ubiquity of livestock grazing within sage-grouse habitat and the lack of rigorous scientific data to inform the debate regarding the effects of grazing on sage-grouse populations, we are conducting a 10-year research project to experimentally evaluate the effects of cattle grazing on demographic traits and habitat characteristics of greater sage-grouse. The project is a collaboration between USGS Idaho Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, University of Idaho, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public Lands Council, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The results will help guide management actions (and inform policy and litigation decisions) throughout the western United States.

Research Publications Publication Date
Stevens, B. S., C. J. Conway, C. Tisdale, K. Denny, A. Meyers, and P. Makela. 2023. Backpack satellite transmitters reduce survival but not nesting propensity or success of greater sage-grouse. Ecology and Evolution 13:e10820. December 2023
Helmstetter, N. A., C. J. Conway, S. Roberts, J. R. Adams, P. D. Makela, and L.P. Waits. 2024. Predator-specific mortality of sage-grouse nests based on predator DNA on eggshells. Ecology and Evolution 14:e70213. September 2024
Presentations Presentation Date
Whipple, A.L., G.T. Wann, E.K. Orning, C.L. Aldridge, M.M. McLachlan, J.L. Beck, T. Bowden, P.S. Coates, C.J. Conway, D.K. Dahlgren, J.B. Dinkins, A.N. Johnston, C.A. Hagen, P.D. Makela, D.E. Naugle, B.R. Noon, M.A. Schroeder, J.S. Sedinger, L. Waldner, B.L. Walker, and P.J. Williams. 2024. A review of sage-grouse seasonal resource use: going back 20 years to look forward. Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Conference & Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative Meeting. Cody, WY. 10 Apr 2024. April 2024
Wann, G.T., M.M. McLachlan, J.L. Beck, T. Bowden, P.S. Coates, C.J. Conway, D.K. Dahlgren, J.B. Dinkins, A.N. Johnston, C.A. Hagen, P.D. Makela, D.E. Naugle, M.A. Schroeder, J.S. Sedinger, L. Waldner, B.L. Walker, P.J. Williams, A.L. Whipple, and C.L. Aldridge. 2024. Predicting range-wide seasonal habitats from a large tracking dataset of Greater Sage-Grouse locations. Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting. Cody, Wyoming, 10 Apr 2024. April 2024
Wann, G.T., C.L Aldridge, M.M. McLachlan, J.L. Beck, T. Bowden, P.S Coates, C.J. Conway, D.K. Dahlgren, J.B. Dinkens, A. N. Johnston, C.A. Hagen, P.D. Makela, D.E. Naugle, M.A. Schroeder, J.S. Sedinger, L. Waldner, B.L. Walker, P.J. Williams, and A.L. Whipple. 2024. Modeling range-wide annual changes in greater sage-grouse seasonal habitats over time (1995 to 2020). American Ornithological Society Annual Conference. Estes Park, CO. 3 Oct 2024 October 2024
Tisdale, C. A., W. Field, A. Means, D. Brewster, J. Hamaker, C. J. Conway, P. Makela, S. Roberts, and K.L. Launchbaugh. 2023. Relationship between livestock grazing and sage-grouse populations. Idaho Cattle Association meeting. Rogerson, ID. 26 Jun 2023. June 2023
Launchbaugh, K., C.J. Conway, C. Tisdale, N. Helmstetter, G. Overlie, P. Makela, and S. Roberts. 2024. Effects of cattle grazing on greater sage-grouse: Idaho Grouse & Grazing Project. Idaho Section of the Society for Range Management. Virtual. 3 Jan 2024. January 2024
Conway, C.J., K.L. Launchbaugh, P. Makela, S. Roberts, C. Tisdale, and N. Helmstetter. 2024.Effects of cattle grazing on greater sage-grouse: Idaho Grouse & Grazing Project. USGS Land Management Research Program Sagebrush & Fire Science Webinar Series. Virtual. 22 Feb 2024. February 2024
Conway, C.J., C. Tisdale, K.L. Launchbaugh, S.B. Roberts, P. Makela and B. Stevens. 2024.Relationship between cattle grazing and demographic traits of greater sage-grouse: The Grouse & Grazing Project. WAFWA 34th Biennial Sage & Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop. Wenatchee, WA. 6 Aug 2024. August 2024
Theses and Dissertations Publication Date
Riley, I. 2019. Sampling methods for lek and brood counts of greater sage-grouse: accounting for imperfect detection. M.S. Thesis, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. May 2019. May 2019
Helmstetter, N.A. 2023. Effects of Livestock Grazing and Habitat on Predator-Specific Nest Mortality and Spatiotemporal Activity Patterns of Sage-Grouse Nest Predators. M.S. Thesis, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID. Aug 2023. August 2023