Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Idaho, 2006. / Abstract. "August 2006." Includes bibliographical references. Also available online in PDF format.

Aspects of the ecology of black grouse (Tetrao Tetrix), a species of international conservation concern, in commercial plantation forests were investigated between 1996 - 1998 at three study areas in Scotland. The aim was to identify the species' habitat and area requirements in first and second rotation forestry. The distribution of males was assessed using lek surveys and studied at two spatial scales in the mixed rotation forest landscape of Cowal, Argyll and at two spatial and temporal scales in highland Perthshire - a less afforested region. In addition, a radio-tracking study was undertaken to examine the habitat selection of broods in two first rotation plantations in north Perthshire. Pre-thicket forestry formed a preferred habitat but, in terms of lek distribution, black grouse did not differentiate between first and second rotation pre-thicket habitat patches. Patch size, the total amount of forestry in the area, the proportion that was pre-thicket stock and its level of fragmentation, however, were all correlated with the probability of a location holding a lek and the number of males attending it. Lek isolation reduced the number of males in attendance and increased the likelihood of the lek declining over time. Brood habitat preferences differed from those of adult birds. Broods selected habitats that were 'open' enough to support a rich ground flora and presumably an adequate invertebrate fauna but also 'closed' enough to provide cover, representing a compromise between foraging potential and predation risk. Brood roost sites differed by having shorter trees but a higher degree of cover 1-1.5 metres above the ground. Results from the different study areas and age classes are compared and contrasted and the implications of the research findings for 'black grouse friendly' forestry management are discussed. Finally, suggestions for further work are made.

Declining greater sage-grouse populations (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) have led to increased concern regarding the long-term stability of the species. Previous research has identified factors contributing to the observed population declines. Habitat degradation and loss have been implicated as major factors in population declines. Although much is known about sage-grouse biology, more information is needed about population responses to specific management actions. This research was conducted to document sage-grouse responses to site-specific management actions. Additionally, I evaluated sage-grouse temporal and seasonal habitat-use and the comparability of techniques used by range and wildlife managers to measure vegetation responses of habitat management. Specifically, I evaluated 1) whether chemical analysis (gas chromatography) of sage-grouse fecal pellets could identify sagebrush species in sage-grouse winter diets, 2) the comparability of the line-point intercept and Daubenmire canopy cover methods for estimating canopy cover, 3) the response of sage-grouse broods to prescribed burns in a high elevation sagebrush community in northeastern Utah, and 4) the vegetation and insect characteristics of sites used by sage-grouse broods during a 24-hour period. I was able to determine wintering sage-grouse diets using gas chromatography by analyzing fecal pellets. This research also confirmed that black sagebrush (Artemisia nova) was an important component of sage-grouse winter diets in western Box Elder County and Parker Mountain populations. The line-point intercept and Daubenmire methods for estimating canopy cover are not comparable. Sage-grouse broods selected small (~ 25 ha) patchy prescribed burns in high elevation mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata vaseyana) communities in northeastern Utah. Sage-grouse brood-site use in northwestern Utah did not differ during the diurnal hours, but nocturnal roost sites were characterized by shorter statured shrubs and more bare ground when compared to midday sites.

Three experiments with captive ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) demonstrated that dietary metabolizable energy (ME) can be predicted from neutral detergent solubles, total phenols, and percent acorns of grouse diets. The weight of the fat attached to the gizzard was highly correlated with percent carcass fat in 82 grouse and was judged a useful index of body condition. Crop contents of 1005 grouse collected during fall and winter 1981-84 in Maine, New York, Wisconsin, Washington, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, and Georgia were used to make regional comparisons of food habits and diet quality. The ME of crop contents was predicted from chemical composition. Evergreen leaves of woody plants were the most common late winter forages of grouse in southeastern states, whereas buds, twigs, and catkins were the most common late fall and winter forages in diets of grouse in northern states. Winter diets in the Southeast tended to have higher levels of predicted ME than diets in the North; however, southeastern diets tended to have higher levels of total phenols and lower levels of protein than typical northern diets. Evergreen leaf forages had higher levels of tannin phenols than buds, twigs, and catkins. Dietary ME appeared adequate in both the North and the Southeast, but low levels of protein and high levels of tannins may result in poorer quality winter diets along the southeastern edge of the range of the ruffed grouse. Acorns comprised 63% of the crop contents of 22 grouse collected in Virginia in March and April 1982, the spring following a year of high acorn production. Leaves and flowers of herbaceous forbs were the primary forages of 41 grouse collected in spring 1983 and 1984. Body fat levels were greater for females than males and declined from March to April. Fat declines appeared to be related to breeding activities. Evergreen leaves were the most abundant forages available to grouse in late winter on a study site in southwestern Virginia. Biomass of high quality herbaceous leaves-was insufficient to meet estimated energy requirements of grouse in late winter, indicating a need for a dietary shift to low quality evergreen leaves. / Ph. D.

Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have experienced declines throughout their range over the last 50 years. Long-term declines in sage-grouse abundance in Nevada and Oregon have been attributed to reduced productivity. From 1995-1997, sage-grouse production on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), Nevada was greater compared to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR), Oregon. Specific causes for the difference were unknown. Thus, the objectives were to: 1) Determine sage-grouse breeding season habitat use (especially with regard to wildfire) on SNWR; 2) Evaluate reproductive parameters to discern differences between SNWR and HMNAR; 3) Compare habitat components which may relate to differences in sage-grouse reproductive success on SNWR and HMNAR; and 4) Establish hematological and serum chemistry reference ranges for sage-grouse hens to assess physiological condition. Cover type was important in selection of nest sites at SNWR; however, nest cover did not affect nesting success and nest-site selection was not related to experience. Vegetative characteristics at successful nest sites were similar to unsuccessful nests but nest sites had greater amounts of tall residual grass (���18 cm) and medium height shrub cover (40-80 cm) than at random sites. Broods used areas with greater forb cover than random sites, indicating use was influenced by availability of forbs. Plant communities in wildfire and associated control sites did not differ appreciably in species composition. Although burning had little stimulatory effect on total forb cover 10-12 years post-burn, alteration of the sagebrush community did not limit sage-grouse use for successful nesting and brood-rearing. Fire did not negatively impact arthropod abundance. Differences in habitat use and sage-grouse productivity between SNWR and HMNAR may be related to differences in forb availability. Forb cover was greater at HMNAR than at SNWR for all cover types. Correspondingly, home range size for sage-grouse broods was greater on SNWR than at HMNAR. Nutrient analysis of forbs indicated higher crude protein, potassium, and magnesium levels at HMNAR than at SNWR; however, these nutrients are not likely to be deficient in most sage-grouse diets. Thus sagebrush-steppe communities supporting these forbs likely meet the dietary nutritional requirements of sage-grouse. Although blood calcium and uric acid levels were greater in sage-grouse hens on HMNAR than at SNWR, differences were attributed to capture date. Furthermore, physiological condition did not affect a hen's ability to nest successfully, nor was condition related to a hen's ability to recruit chicks to 1 August. Causes of sage-grouse decline are varied, but ultimately they are habitat based. Comparisons of reproductive parameters and habitat evaluations, combined with sage-grouse physiology data, may provide insight into habitat differences between study areas not previously recognized. Land management practices (e.g., prescribed fire) which recast the balance of native herbaceous species in degraded big sagebrush communities, may be necessary in the restoration of sagebrush-steppe ecosystems, and ultimately, the recovery of sage-grouse populations. / Graduation date: 2003