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

Greater sage-grouse populations have been in decline in the western U.S. since the 1950s, and approximately 76% of sagebrush-associated bird species are declining nationally. Species within the sagebrush ecosystem are connected. For example, some species (e.g., insects) serve as food for other species (e.g., sage-grouse chicks and songbirds). Therefore, it is important to understand the status of the sagebrush ecosystem and the several species that rely on it, and how conservation efforts affect the ecosystem.