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

Idaho Project

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

January 2014 - December 2024

Personnel

Participating Agencies

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

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.

Presentations Presentation Date
Conway, C. J., and K. Launchbaugh. 2014. How does spring livestock grazing influence sage-grouse populations? Idaho Sage-grouse Advisory Committee Meeting, Boise, ID. 28 May 2014. May 2014
Conway, C. J., J. W. Connelly, K. Launchbaugh, D. Gotsch, W. Pratt, P. Makela, D. Kemner, D. Musil, E. Strand, J. Robison, and J. Whiting. 2015. Effects of spring cattle grazing on sage-Grouse: a project update. Annual Meeting of the Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Pocatello, ID. 10 Mar 2015. March 2015
Conway, C. J., K. Launchbaugh, A. Locatelli, D. Musil, P. Makela, and S. Roberts. 2016. Effects of spring-season cattle grazing on greater sage-grouse. Western Agencies Sage and Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse Workshop. Lander, WY. 14 Jun 2016. PRESENTED. June 2016
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