NPS: Nature & Science » Networks: Upper Columbia Basin Network

Sage Grouse

The greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) has been decreasing in numbers and range throughout much of the western United States. These losses have led to several petitions to list certain populations, subspecies, or species of sage grouse as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The sage grouse has unique seasonal habitat requirements and the loss or conversion of these habitats is believed to be a primary cause of the declines. The sage grouse is a sagebrush obligate species and is considered an umbrella species for other species of fauna and flora.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is currently monitoring sage grouse populations of southeastern Idaho by using lek counts. Considering their efforts and the expansive habitat used by the species, which crosses ownership and agency boundaries, the Network plans to collaborate with the Department for mutual benefit and understanding of the species.

Cooperate with Idaho Department of Fish and Game to estimate trends in occupancy and abundance of male sage grouse through annual lek counts in and adjacent to (within 3.2 km [2 mi] of park boundaries) the parks.
Identify potential critical sage grouse habitat areas within the parks and conduct periodic status surveys in these areas to estimate occupancy and abundance.

Lek occupancy, abundance (lek counts), distribution and amount of critical habitat, and occupancy and abundance in critical habitat.

Information gathered from this monitoring will be used to:

Inform regional assessment of species status.
Identify critical habitat areas within parks for increased protection from visitors or other adverse impacts.

The UCBN plans to submit a draft sage grouse monitoring protocol for peer review in 2010.

Lisa Garrett
Upper Columbia Basin Network Coordinator
University of Idaho
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Moscow, ID 83844-1136
Email