Thesis
Greater sage-grouse reproductive ecology and tebuthiuron manipulation of dense big sagebrush on Parker Mountain
(2004)
Abstract
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus ) population on Parker Mountain, in south-central Utah, has been declining over the last 30 years. To supplement the data on breeding ecology and habitat use of sage-grouse hens, I continued to collect data using telemetry from 2000–2002. Nest site and brood-rearing site characteristics were measured and analyzed. To address the potential lack of adequate brood-rearing habitat, I surveyed 324 hectares of sagebrush to determine the general vegetational characteristics of high brood use areas. We observed 19% average grass and forb understory with big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) canopy cover generally exceeding 30%. I designed a sagebrush manipulation experiment based on the premise that removal of big sagebrush will increase grasses and forbs for brood-rearing habitat. I identified 8 areas with dense stands of big sagebrush and established 40-hectare experimental vegetation manipulation plots. To decrease the big sagebrush, half of the plots received an herbicide treatment, tebuthiuron. The other 4 plots were untreated.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2004
Degree
Master of Science
Field of study
Wildlife Biology
Department
Forest, Range, and Wildlife Sciences
Advisor
Terry Messmer
Citation Information
Renee Yong Chi. "Greater sage-grouse reproductive ecology and tebuthiuron manipulation of dense big sagebrush on Parker Mountain" (2004) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/terry-messmer/417/