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Weise CL, Brussee BE, Coates PS, Shinneman DJ, Crist MR, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Ricca MA. A retrospective assessment of fuel break effectiveness for containing rangeland wildfires in the sagebrush biome. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 341:117903. [PMID: 37146489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Escalated wildfire activity within the western U.S. has widespread societal impacts and long-term consequences for the imperiled sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome. Shifts from historical fire regimes and the interplay between frequent disturbance and invasive annual grasses may initiate permanent state transitions as wildfire frequency outpaces sagebrush communities' innate capacity to recover. Therefore, wildfire management is at the core of conservation plans for sagebrush ecosystems, especially critical habitat for species of conservation concern such as the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse). Fuel breaks help facilitate wildfire suppression by modifying behavior through fuels modification and allowing safe access points for containment by firefighters. The Bureau of Land Management has proposed to roughly double the existing fuel break network in the western U.S., centered on the Great Basin. To our knowledge, no broad-scale examination of fuel break effectiveness or the environmental conditions under which fuel breaks are expected to be most effective has been conducted. We performed a retrospective assessment of probability of fuel break contributing to wildfire containment on recorded wildfire and fuel break interactions from 1985 to 2018 within the western U.S. We characterized environmental, fuels, and weather conditions within 500 m of wildfire contact, and within 5 km of the approaching wildfire. We used a binomial mixed model within a Bayesian framework to identify relationships between these variables and fuel break success. Fuel breaks were least successful in areas classified as having low resilience to disturbance and low resistance to invasion, in areas composed of primarily woody fuels, and when operating in high temperature and low precipitation conditions. Fuel breaks were most effective in areas where fine fuels dominated and in areas that were readily accessible. Maintenance history and fuel break type also contributed to the probability of containment. Overall results indicate a complex and sometimes paradoxical relationship between landscape characteristics that promote wildfire spread and those that impact fuel break effectiveness. Finally, we developed predictive maps of fuel break effectiveness by fuel break type to further elucidate these complex relationships and to inform urgently needed fuel break placement and maintenance priorities across the sagebrush biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cali L Weise
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Brianne E Brussee
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Peter S Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA.
| | - Douglas J Shinneman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 230 N. Collins Rd., Boise, ID, 83706, USA
| | - Michele R Crist
- Bureau of Land Management, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 Development Avenue, Boise, ID, 83705-5354, USA
| | - Cameron L Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8118, USA
| | - Julie A Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University; in Cooperation with U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8118, USA
| | - Mark A Ricca
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA; U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 777 NW 9th St #400, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
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O'Donnell MS, Edmunds DR, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Monroe AP, Coates PS, Prochazka BG, Hanser SE, Wiechman LA. Defining biologically relevant and hierarchically nested population units to inform wildlife management. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9565. [PMID: 36466138 PMCID: PMC9712811 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Wildlife populations are increasingly affected by natural and anthropogenic changes that negatively alter biotic and abiotic processes at multiple spatiotemporal scales and therefore require increased wildlife management and conservation efforts. However, wildlife management boundaries frequently lack biological context and mechanisms to assess demographic data across the multiple spatiotemporal scales influencing populations. To address these limitations, we developed a novel approach to define biologically relevant subpopulations of hierarchically nested population levels that could facilitate managing and conserving wildlife populations and habitats. Our approach relied on the Spatial "K"luster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal clustering algorithm, which we applied in an agglomerative manner (bottom-to-top). We modified the clustering algorithm using a workflow and population structure tiers from least-cost paths, which captured biological inferences of habitat conditions (functional connectivity), dispersal capabilities (potential connectivity), genetic information, and functional processes affecting movements. The approach uniquely included context of habitat resources (biotic and abiotic) summarized at multiple spatial scales surrounding locations with breeding site fidelity and constraint-based rules (number of sites grouped and population structure tiers). We applied our approach to greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of conservation concern, across their range within the western United States. This case study produced 13 hierarchically nested population levels (akin to cluster levels, each representing a collection of subpopulations of an increasing number of breeding sites). These closely approximated population closure at finer ecological scales (smaller subpopulation extents with fewer breeding sites; cluster levels ≥2), where >92% of individual sage-grouse's time occurred within their home cluster. With available population monitoring data, our approaches can support the investigation of factors affecting population dynamics at multiple scales and assist managers with making informed, targeted, and cost-effective decisions within an adaptive management framework. Importantly, our approach provides the flexibility of including species-relevant context, thereby supporting other wildlife characterized by site fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David R. Edmunds
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | | | - Julie A. Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science CenterColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Adrian P. Monroe
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological SurveyWestern Ecological Research CenterDixonCaliforniaUSA
| | - Brian G. Prochazka
- U.S. Geological SurveyWestern Ecological Research CenterDixonCaliforniaUSA
| | - Steve E. Hanser
- U.S. Geological SurveyFort Collins Science CenterFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Lief A. Wiechman
- U.S. Geological SurveyEcosystems Mission AreaFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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O'Donnell MS, Edmunds DR, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Monroe AP, Coates PS, Prochazka BG, Hanser SE, Wiechman LA. Defining fine‐scaled population structure among continuously distributed populations. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David R. Edmunds
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Cameron L. Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Julie A. Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Adrian P. Monroe
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station Dixon California USA
| | - Brian G. Prochazka
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station Dixon California USA
| | - Steve E. Hanser
- U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Lief A. Wiechman
- U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area Fort Collins Colorado USA
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Roth CL, O'Neil ST, Coates PS, Ricca MA, Pyke DA, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Espinosa SP, Delehanty DJ. Targeting Sagebrush (Artemisia Spp.) Restoration Following Wildfire with Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus Urophasianus) Nest Selection and Survival Models. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 70:288-306. [PMID: 35687203 PMCID: PMC9252971 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-022-01649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Unprecedented conservation efforts for sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems across the western United States have been catalyzed by risks from escalated wildfire activity that reduces habitat for sagebrush-obligate species such as Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). However, post-fire restoration is challenged by spatial variation in ecosystem processes influencing resilience to disturbance and resistance to non-native invasive species, and spatial and temporal lags between slower sagebrush recovery processes and faster demographic responses of sage-grouse to loss of important habitat. Decision-support frameworks that account for these factors can help users strategically apply restoration efforts by predicting short and long-term ecological benefits of actions. Here, we developed a framework that strategically targets burned areas for restoration actions (e.g., seeding or planting sagebrush) that have the greatest potential to positively benefit sage-grouse populations through time. Specifically, we estimated sagebrush recovery following wildfire and risk of non-native annual grass invasion under four scenarios: passive recovery, grazing exclusion, active restoration with seeding, and active restoration with seedling transplants. We then applied spatial predictions of integrated nest site selection and survival models before wildfire, immediately following wildfire, and at 30 and 50 years post-wildfire based on each restoration scenario and measured changes in habitat. Application of this framework coupled with strategic planting designs aimed at developing patches of nesting habitat may help increase operational resilience for fire-impacted sagebrush ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cali L Roth
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Shawn T O'Neil
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Peter S Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA.
| | - Mark A Ricca
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - David A Pyke
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 777 NW 9th Street, Suite 400, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - Cameron L Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8118, USA
| | - Julie A Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, in cooperation with U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Colorado State University, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8118, USA
| | - Shawn P Espinosa
- Nevada Department of Wildlife, 6980 Sierra Center Parkway #120, Reno, NV, 89511, USA
| | - David J Delehanty
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
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Beers AT, Frey SN. Greater sage‐grouse habitat selection varies across the marginal habitat of its lagging range margin. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aidan T. Beers
- Department of Wildland Resources Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Shandra N. Frey
- Department of Wildland Resources Utah State University Logan Utah USA
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Invasion of annual grasses following wildfire corresponds to maladaptive habitat selection by a sagebrush ecosystem indicator species. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Balancing model generality and specificity in management-focused habitat selection models for Gunnison sage-grouse. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Coates PS, O'neil ST, MuÑoz DA, Dwight IA, Tull JC. Sage‐Grouse Population Dynamics are Adversely Affected by Overabundant Feral Horses. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Road Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Shawn T. O'neil
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Road Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Diana A. MuÑoz
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Road Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Ian A. Dwight
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Road Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - John C. Tull
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Science Applications, Pacific Southwest Region 1340 Financial Boulevard Reno NV 89502 USA
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O'Donnell MS, Edmunds DR, Aldridge CL, Heinrichs JA, Monroe AP, Coates PS, Prochazka BG, Hanser SE, Wiechman LA, Christiansen TJ, Cook AA, Espinosa SP, Foster LJ, Griffin KA, Kolar JL, Miller KS, Moser AM, Remington TE, Runia TJ, Schreiber LA, Schroeder MA, Stiver SJ, Whitford NI, Wightman CS. Synthesizing and analyzing long-term monitoring data: A greater sage-grouse case study. ECOL INFORM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Lazenby KD, Coates PS, O’Neil ST, Kohl MT, Dahlgren DK. Nesting, brood rearing, and summer habitat selection by translocated greater sage-grouse in North Dakota, USA. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2741-2760. [PMID: 33767833 PMCID: PMC7981223 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human enterprise has led to large-scale changes in landscapes and altered wildlife population distribution and abundance, necessitating efficient and effective conservation strategies for impacted species. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) are a widespread sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) obligate species that has experienced population declines since the mid-1900s resulting from habitat loss and expansion of anthropogenic features into sagebrush ecosystems. Habitat loss is especially evident in North Dakota, USA, on the northeastern fringe of sage-grouse' distribution, where a remnant population remains despite recent development of energy-related infrastructure. Resource managers in this region have determined a need to augment sage-grouse populations using translocation techniques that can be important management tools for countering species decline from range contraction. Although translocations are a common tool for wildlife management, very little research has evaluated habitat following translocation, to track individual behaviors such as habitat selection and fidelity to the release site, which can help inform habitat requirements to guide selection of future release sites. We provide an example where locations from previously released radio-marked sage-grouse are used in a resource selection function framework to evaluate habitat selection following translocation and identify areas of seasonal habitat to inform habitat management and potential restoration needs. We also evaluated possible changes in seasonal habitat since the late 1980s using spatial data provided by the Rangeland Analysis Platform coupled with resource selection modeling results. Our results serve as critical baseline information for habitat used by translocated individuals across life stages in this study area, and will inform future evaluations of population performance and potential for long-term recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kade D. Lazenby
- Department of Wildland ResourcesJack H. Berryman InstituteS. J. Quinney College of Natural ResourcesUtah State UniversityLoganUTUSA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- Western Ecological Research CenterDixon Field StationU.S. Geological SurveyDixonCAUSA
| | - Shawn T. O’Neil
- Western Ecological Research CenterDixon Field StationU.S. Geological SurveyDixonCAUSA
| | - Michel T. Kohl
- Department of Wildland ResourcesJack H. Berryman InstituteS. J. Quinney College of Natural ResourcesUtah State UniversityLoganUTUSA
| | - David K. Dahlgren
- Department of Wildland ResourcesJack H. Berryman InstituteS. J. Quinney College of Natural ResourcesUtah State UniversityLoganUTUSA
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Ricca MA, Coates PS. Integrating Ecosystem Resilience and Resistance Into Decision Support Tools for Multi-Scale Population Management of a Sagebrush Indicator Species. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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