Factors Affecting Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Survival and Movement in South-central Utah.

摘要: Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) adult and juvenile survival are the population parameters frequently identified as most critical to growth. Juvenile is one of least documented demographic sage-grouse. Sage-grouse brood hens broods may be more susceptible harvest than males without broods. This potentially higher susceptibility reflect clumped distribution their in good brood-rearing habitat during hunting seasons. telemetry studies typically use necklace type radio transmitters. However, given increased interest deployment back rear mounted global positioning system collars, there has been concern birds fitted with back-mounted collars experience mortality rates. From 2008-2010, I studied patterns 91 that were collared on Parker Mountain, south-central Utah. Two transmitter types used (avian suture-on backpack) determine if affected survival. Nesting radio-telemetry data collected from 1998-2009 Mountain was assess hen risk. The nest model within Program MARK analyze data. Maximum likelihoods profile likelihood confidence intervals (α = 0.1) risk by breeding status. exhibited high over-winter (females: 42 0.802 0.982 males: 0.687 0.969). Fall rates 0.522 0.623 for females 0.332 0.449 males. Survival fall through winter 0.418 0.616 0.228 0.435 main source predation (probability caused death 0.705 both years combined). Harvest a significant (the probability 0.159 Unreported played role general dynamic; unreported 0.091. Sex (p= 0.103) (p 0.09) Back-mounted transmitters negatively 0.087 (0.035-0.171) 0.011 (0.001-0.039) non-brood hens, respectively. There evidence brooding harvest. this study inconclusive at α 0.1. High accessibility coupled public landownership could have influenced No found warrant including an “acclimatization period” analyses. Future research needed acceptable rate female should avoid minimize experimental bias. management actions attempt shift away juveniles associated them.