Ecology and Conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens

Ecology and Conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chickens
Author: David A. Haukos
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2016-02-22
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1482240238

Shortlisted for the 2018 TWS Wildlife Publication Awards in the edited book categoryLesser Prairie-Chickens have experienced substantial declines in terms of population and the extent of area that they occupy. While they are an elusive species, making it difficult at times to monitor them, current evidence indicates that they have been persistently

Non-breeding Season Ecology of Lesser Prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus Pallidicinctus) Assessing Survival and Resource Selection Within Southeastern New Mexico

Non-breeding Season Ecology of Lesser Prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus Pallidicinctus) Assessing Survival and Resource Selection Within Southeastern New Mexico
Author: Daniel J. Lusk
Publisher:
Total Pages: 114
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

The Lesser Prairie-chicken (tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a grouse species that is native to the great basin region of North America. Over the past century, the species has experienced an estimated 90% reduction in population, resulting in the species being listed as "Threatened" on the endangered species list in 2014; with this listing being vacated by court order in 2015. Most research for this species has been focused on the breeding season, resulting in a relative paucity of information regarding non-breeding season demographics and resource selection information. I monitored Lesser Prairie-chickens throughout the non-breeding seasons of 2013 and 2014 in southeastern New Mexico, within the bounds of six study areas, The objectives of my study were to estimate 1) adult survival and 2) resource selection of Lesser Prairie-chickens during the 2013 and 2014 non-breeding season. The estimated probability of a Lesser Prairie-chicken surviving the entire non-breeding season in 2013 was 63.18% ± 0.109 (95% CL = 40.5 -- 81.2 whereas the probability of a Lesser Prairie-chicken surviving the entire nonbreeding season across all study areas in 2014 was estimated as 92.36% ± 0.042 (95% Cl 78.84 -- 97.5). Survival estimates varied by study area from 47.2% ± 0.251 (95% Cl = 11.06 -- 86.53) to 90.48% ± 0.064 (95% Cl = 68.9 -- 98.6). Resource selection was modeled using a generalized linear mixed effect modeling approach. Characteristics of selected habitat were positively correlated with higher VOR readings and negatively correlated with bare ground cover and shrub height. Selection for areas with higher 25% VOR cover estimates was highest at study sites with higher levels of habitat fragmentation. My research indicates that survival was highest in 2014 than 2013 and can possible be explained by increased precipitation between years. Resource selection varied widely across study years and study areas, but indicated that areas with low shrub height, reduced bare group cover, and increased overall cover, driven by residual grasses, are important in predicting bird use. Current management practices in fragmented habitats may need to be modified in order to maximize perennial grass cover for Lesser Prairie-chicken habitat throughout its range in southeastern New Mexico, especially during the nonbreeding season.