Greater Sage-Grouse Use of Mechanical Conifer Reduction Treatments in Northwest Utah

A potential consequence of climate change, altered fire regimes, and a legacy of resource exploitation in western North America is increased displacement of desirable sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities by invasive plant species. Annually, an estimated 90,000 ha of sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) habitat is degraded by pinyon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.; PJ) encroachment. Sage-grouse responses to conifer encroachment may include avoidance of otherwise available habitats, lek abandonment, and subsequent population declines. Thus, restoration of PJ encroached sage-grouse habitats that exhibit intact sagebrush understories is a priority conservation action. However, better information is needed regarding sage-grouse response to these management actions. We used sage-grouse fecal pellet surveys and radiotelemetry location data to identify vegetation and landscape attributes that may influence sage-grouse use of PJ removal treatments completed using mechanical methods. Use of PJ removal treatments by sagegrouse was positively associated with irrigated pasture and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay within 1 km (beta = 7.69, SE = 5.58, P = 0.17) and negatively associated with PJ canopy cover (beta = - 1.52, SE = 0.84, P = 0.07) within 500m of treatments. Percent cover of mesic habitats and sagebrush canopy were greater within 1 km of treatments where sage-grouse were detected; however, these relationships were weak because of large variability in conditions across sites. Our results document sage-grouse use of 9 of 16 mechanical PJ removal treatments examined in an encroached sagebrush landscape and suggest that mechanical PJ removal treatments should be sited adjacent to occupied sage-grouse habitat in areas that minimize surrounding PJ cover. (C) 2017 The Wildlife Society.