| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1986 |
| Authors: | Dunn, PO, Braun, CE |
| Journal: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume: | 50 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Date Published: | 1986 |
| ISBN Number: | 0022541X |
| Keywords: | Centrocercus, Centrocercus urophasianus, Phasianidae |
| Abstract: | Use of summer habitat by sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) was examined in northwestern Colorado during July-September 1982. Habitat use by 14 radio-marked grouse (5 juveniles, 7 unsuccessfully nesting hens, and 2 hens with broods) was analyzed from 192 transects at sage grouse locations and 40 randomly located transects. Univariate and stepwise discriminant function analyses (DFA's) indicated that sage grouse selected habitat (use in proportion to availability) near edges of cover types with more cover (both horizontal and vertical) and less variation in shrub densities and intercept distances of line transects; i.e., the density and size of shrubs were more homogeneous than random. Within these sites, grouse roosted beside shrubs that were larger than average. DFA revealed no differences (P > 0.05) in habitat use between juveniles and adult females. Summer habitat for sage grouse should be managed for a greater homogeneity of structure and density of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) than normally exists within sagebrush stands. Among stands, structure and density characteristics of shrubs should differ, along with the type of cover (sagebrush, meadow, and aspen [Populus spp.]); additionally these different cover types should exist in close proximity. |
| URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3801903 |
| Short Title: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
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