Better living through conifer removal: A demographic analysis of sage-grouse vital rates

摘要: Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) obligate wildlife species such as the imperiled greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) face numerous threats including altered ecosystem processes that have led to conifer expansion into shrub-steppe. Conifer removal is accelerating despite a lack of empirical evidence on grouse population response. Using before-after-control-impact design at landscape scale, we evaluated effects two important demographic parameters, annual survival females and nest survival, by monitoring 219 female 225 nests in northern Great Basin from 2010 2014. Estimates best treatment models showed positive trends area relative control resulting an increase 6.6% 18.8% stochastic simulations our estimates published demographics, estimated 25% growth rate area. This first study link demographics with supports recommendations actively manage for conservation. Sage-grouse become primary catalyst conservation funding address West, these findings implications other services being generated wings