Vegetational Cover and Predation of Sage Grouse Nests in Oregon
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1994 |
Authors: | Gregg, MA, CRAWFORD, JOHNA, Drut, MS, DeLong, AK |
Journal: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
Volume: | 58 |
Issue: | 1 |
Date Published: | 1994 |
ISBN Number: | 0022541X |
Keywords: | Centrocercus, Centrocercus urophasianus, Phasianidae |
Abstract: | Because of long-term declines in sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) abundance and productivity in Oregon, we investigated the relationship between vegetational cover and nesting by sage grouse in 2 study areas. Medium height (40-80 cm) shrub cover was greater (P < 0.001) at nonpredated (x̄ = 41%, n = 18) and predated (x̄ = 29%, n = 106) nests than in areas immediately surrounding nests (x̄ = 15 and 10%, n = 18 and 106, nonpredated and predated, respectively) or random locations (x̄ = 8%, n = 499). Tall (>18 cm), residual grass cover was greater (P < 0.001) at nonpredated nests (x̄ = 18%) than in areas surrounding nonpredated nests (x̄ = 6%) or random locations (x̄ = 3%). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in grass cover among predated nests, nest areas, and random sites. However, nonpredated nests had greater (P < 0.001) cover of tall, residual grasses (x̄ = 18%) and medium height shrubs (x̄ = 41%) than predated nests (x̄ = 5 and 29% for grasses and shrubs, respectively). Removal of tall grass cover and medium height shrub cover may negatively influence sage grouse productivity. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3809563 |
Short Title: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
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