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Gehrt JM, Moon DA, Stratton SC, Haukos DA. Role of landscape features in resource selection by female Greater Prairie-chickens within a constrained environment. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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2
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Lloyd JD, Aldridge CL, Allison TD, LeBeau CW, McNew LB, Winder VL. Prairie grouse and wind energy: The state of the science and implications for risk assessment. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D. Lloyd
- Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute 1900 K St NW Washington D.C 20006 USA
| | | | - Taber D. Allison
- Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute 1900 K St NW Washington D.C 20006 USA
| | - Chad W. LeBeau
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. 1610 Reynolds St. Laramie WY 82072 USA
| | - Lance B. McNew
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences Montana State University 211 Animal Bioscience Building Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - Virginia L. Winder
- Department of Biology Benedictine College 211 Westerman Hall Atchison KS 66002 USA
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3
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Gómez-Catasús J, Barrero A, Llusia D, Iglesias-Merchan C, Traba J. Wind farm noise shifts vocalizations of a threatened shrub-steppe passerine. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119144. [PMID: 35301031 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wind energy has experienced a notable development during the last decades, driving new challenges for animal communities. Although bird collisions with wind turbines and spatial displacement due to disturbance have been widely described in the literature, other potential impacts remain unclear. In this study, we addressed the effect of turbine noise on the vocal behaviour of a threatened shrub-steppe passerine highly dependent on acoustic communication, the Dupont's lark Chersophilus duponti. Based on directional recordings of 49 calling and singing males exposed to a gradient of turbine noise level (from 15 up to 51 dBA), we tested for differences in signal diversity, redundancy, and complexity, as well as temporal and spectral characteristics of their vocalizations (particularly the characteristic whistle). Our results unveiled that Dupont's lark males varied the vocal structure when subject to turbine noise, by increasing the probability of emitting more complex whistles (with increased number of notes) and shifting the dominant note (emphasizing the longest and higher-pitched note). In addition, males increased duration and minimum frequency of specific notes of the whistle, while repertoire size and signal redundancy remain constant. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting multiple and complex responses on the vocal repertoire of animals exposed to turbine noise and unveiling a shift of the dominant note in response to anthropogenic noise in general. These findings suggest that the Dupont's lark exhibits some level of phenotypic plasticity, which might enable the species to cope with noisy environments, although the vocal adjustments observed might have associated costs or alter the functionality of the signal. Future wind energy projects must include fine-scale noise assessments to quantify the consequences of chronic noise exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Gómez-Catasús
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (TEG-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgvägen 9, FI-10600, Ekenäs, Finland.
| | - Adrián Barrero
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (TEG-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Llusia
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (TEG-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Laboratório de Herpetologia e Comportamento Animal, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Campus Samambaia, CEP 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Carlos Iglesias-Merchan
- CENERIC Research Centre, Tres Cantos, Spain; Escuela Ingeniería de Montes, Forestal y Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Traba
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (TEG-UAM), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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4
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Londe DW, Elmore RD, Davis CA, Hovick TJ, Fuhlendorf SD, Rutledge J. Why did the chicken not cross the road? Anthropogenic development influences the movement of a grassland bird. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2543. [PMID: 35080784 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Movement and selection are inherently linked behaviors that form the foundation of a species' space-use patterns. Anthropogenic development in natural ecosystems can result in a variety of behavioral responses that can involve changes in either movement (speed or direction of travel) or selection (resources used), which in turn may cause population-level consequences including loss of landscape connectivity. Understanding how a species alters these different behaviors in response to human activity is essential for effective conservation. In this study, we investigated the effects of anthropogenic development such as roads, power lines and oil wells on the greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) movement and selection behaviors in the post-nesting and non-breeding season. Our first objective was to assess using integrated step selection analysis (iSSA) if greater prairie-chickens altered their movement behaviors or their selection patterns when encountering oil wells, power lines, or roads. Our second objective was to determine whether prairie-chickens avoided crossing linear features such as roads or power lines by comparing the number of crossing events in greater prairie-chicken movement tracks to the number of movements that crossed these features in simulated movement tracks. Based on the iSSA analysis, we found that greater prairie-chickens avoided oil wells, power lines, and roads in both seasons, and altered their rate of movement when near anthropogenic structures. However, changes in speed varied by season, with prairie-chickens increasing their movement rates in the post-nesting season when near to development and decreasing movement rates in the non-breeding season. Furthermore, prairie-chickens crossed roads and power lines at much lower rates than expected. These changes in behavior can result in habitat loss for greater prairie-chickens, as well as the potential loss of landscape connectivity. By considering both movement and selection, we were able to develop an ecological understanding of how increasing human activity may influence the space use of this species of conservation concern. Furthermore, this research provides insight into the decision-making processes by animals when they encounter anthropogenic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Londe
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Robert Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Craig A Davis
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Torre J Hovick
- School of Natural Resources Sciences-Range Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Samuel D Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
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5
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Gutiérrez JS, Moore JN, Donnelly JP, Dorador C, Navedo JG, Senner NR. Climate change and lithium mining influence flamingo abundance in the Lithium Triangle. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212388. [PMID: 35259988 PMCID: PMC8905151 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of technologies to slow climate change has been identified as a global imperative. Nonetheless, such 'green' technologies can potentially have negative impacts on biodiversity. We explored how climate change and the mining of lithium for green technologies influence surface water availability, primary productivity and the abundance of three threatened and economically important flamingo species in the 'Lithium Triangle' of the Chilean Andes. We combined climate and primary productivity data with remotely sensed measures of surface water levels and a 30-year dataset on flamingo abundance using structural equation modelling. We found that, regionally, flamingo abundance fluctuated dramatically from year-to-year in response to variation in surface water levels and primary productivity but did not exhibit any temporal trends. Locally, in the Salar de Atacama-where lithium mining is focused-we found that mining was negatively correlated with the abundance of two of the three flamingo species. These results suggest continued increases in lithium mining and declines in surface water could soon have dramatic effects on flamingo abundance across their range. Efforts to slow the expansion of mining and the impacts of climate change are, therefore, urgently needed to benefit local biodiversity and the local human economy that depends on it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge S Gutiérrez
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06006, Spain.,Ecology in the Anthropocene, Associated Unit CSIC-UEx, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06006, Spain
| | - Johnnie N Moore
- Group For Quantitative Study of Snow and Ice, Department of Geosciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - J Patrick Donnelly
- Intermountain West Joint Venture, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1001 S. Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
| | - Cristina Dorador
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Juan G Navedo
- Ecology in the Anthropocene, Associated Unit CSIC-UEx, Faculty of Sciences, University of Extremadura, Badajoz 06006, Spain.,Bird Ecology Lab, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Nathan R Senner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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6
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Bird Displacement by Wind Turbines: Assessing Current Knowledge and Recommendations for Future Studies. BIRDS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/birds2040034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wind energy developments can be responsible for negative impacts on birds, including displacement. In this study we performed a systematic review of the literature available on bird displacement due to wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, to: (i) assess overall trends in scientific research; (ii) review the existing knowledge; and (iii) outline recommendations for future studies on this topic in order to overcome the major gaps and limitations found. Our results are based on 286 trials extracted from 71 peer-reviewed studies. The literature on this topic has increased in the past decade but is concentrated in Europe and United States, despite the fact that the wind industry has worldwide coverage. Open habitats—as agricultural fields and grasslands—were the most represented and Accipitriformes, Galliformes, Charadriiformes, Anseriformes and Passeriformes were the most frequently studied taxa. Displacement was recorded in 40.6% of the trials, and Gaviiformes, Anseriformes, Suliformes, Accipitriformes and Falconiformes were the most affected groups. Pelecaniformes, Passeriformes and Charadriiformes were the groups for which no significant effects were more often observed. We provide a list of recommendations, focused on study design, reporting and result dissemination, that should contribute to more robust conclusions of future studies on this topic.
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7
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Milligan MC, Johnston AN, Beck JL, Smith KT, Taylor KL, Hall E, Knox L, Cufaude T, Wallace C, Chong G, Kauffman MJ. Variable effects of wind‐energy development on seasonal habitat selection of pronghorn. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. Milligan
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center 2324 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - Aaron N. Johnston
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center 2324 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
| | - Kurt T. Smith
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
- Western Ecosystems Technology Incorporated 1610 East Reynolds Street Laramie Wyoming 82072 USA
| | - Kaitlyn L. Taylor
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
- Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants 760 West Fetterman Street Buffalo Wyoming 82834 USA
| | - Embere Hall
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1212 S. Adams Street Laramie Wyoming 82070 USA
| | - Lee Knox
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1212 S. Adams Street Laramie Wyoming 82070 USA
| | - Teal Cufaude
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1212 S. Adams Street Laramie Wyoming 82070 USA
| | - Cody Wallace
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming 82701 USA
| | - Geneva Chong
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center 2324 University Way, Suite 2 Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
| | - Matthew J. Kauffman
- U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming 82071 USA
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8
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Pearse AT, Metzger KL, Brandt DA, Shaffer JA, Bidwell MT, Harrell W. Migrating Whooping Cranes avoid wind-energy infrastructure when selecting stopover habitat. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02324. [PMID: 33682273 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Electricity generation from renewable-energy sources has increased dramatically worldwide in recent decades. Risks associated with wind-energy infrastructure are not well understood for endangered Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) or other vulnerable Crane populations. From 2010 to 2016, we monitored 57 Whooping Cranes with remote-telemetry devices in the United States Great Plains to determine potential changes in migration distribution (i.e., avoidance) caused by presence of wind-energy infrastructure. During our study, the number of wind towers tripled in the Whooping Crane migration corridor and quadrupled in the corridor's center. Median distance of Whooping Crane locations from nearest wind tower was 52.1 km, and 99% of locations were >4.3 km from wind towers. A habitat selection analysis revealed that Whooping Cranes used areas ≤5.0 km (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8-5.4) from towers less than expected (i.e., zone of influence) and that Whooping Cranes were 20 times (95% CI 14-64) more likely to use areas outside compared to adjacent to towers. Eighty percent of Whooping Crane locations and 20% of wind towers were located in areas with the highest relative probability of Whooping Crane use based on our model, which comprised 20% of the study area. Whooping Cranes selected for these places, whereas developers constructed wind infrastructure at random relative to desirable Whooping Crane habitat. As of early 2020, 4.6% of the study area and 5.0% of the highest-selected Whooping Crane habitat were within the collective zone of influence. The affected area equates to habitat loss ascribed to wind-energy infrastructure; losses from other disturbances have not been quantified. Continued growth of the Whooping Crane population during this period of wind infrastructure construction suggests no immediate population-level consequences. Chronic or lag effects of habitat loss are unknown but possible for long-lived species. Preferentially constructing future wind infrastructure outside of the migration corridor or inside of the corridor at sites with low probability of Whooping Crane use would allow for continued wind-energy development in the Great Plains with minimal additional risk to highly selected habitat that supports recovery of this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T Pearse
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota, 58401, USA
| | - Kristine L Metzger
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87103-1306, USA
| | - David A Brandt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota, 58401, USA
| | - Jill A Shaffer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota, 58401, USA
| | - Mark T Bidwell
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4, Canada
| | - Wade Harrell
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austwell, Texas, 77950, USA
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9
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Song N, Xu H, Zhao S, Liu N, Zhong S, Li B, Wang T. Effects of wind farms on the nest distribution of magpie (Pica pica) in agroforestry systems of Chongming Island, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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10
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Parsons CT, Dafoe JM, Wyffels SA, DelCurto T, Boss DL. The Influence of Residual Feed Intake and Cow Age on Beef Cattle Performance, Supplement Intake, Resource Use, and Grazing Behavior on Winter Mixed-Grass Rangelands. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1518. [PMID: 34071121 PMCID: PMC8224646 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061518] [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: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of RFI and cow age on the supplement intake and grazing behavior of beef cattle. Average daily supplement intake (kg/cow/d) displayed an RFI × cow age interaction (p < 0.01), with a linear increase in average daily supplement intake with increasing RFI of 3-year-old cows (p < 0.01). Average daily supplement intake (g ∙ kg BW-1 ∙ d-1) displayed an RFI × cow age interaction (p < 0.01), with a quadratic effect on supplement intake of 3-year-old cows (p = 0.01). Cow age displayed a quadratic effect on variation of supplement intake (p < 0.01), where 1-year-old cows had a greater CV of supplement intake than all other cow ages (p < 0.01). Distance traveled displayed a cow age × RFI interaction (p = 0.02), where high-RFI 5-year-old cows traveled further per day than low 5-year-old RFI cows. The probability of grazing site selection was influenced by cow age (p ≤ 0.03). In summary, heifer post-weaning RFI had minimal effects on beef cattle performance, grazing behavior, or resource utilization; however, cow age impacted both grazing behavior and resource use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory T Parsons
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Julia M Dafoe
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Samuel A Wyffels
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
| | - Timothy DelCurto
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Darrin L Boss
- Northern Agricultural Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, MT 59501, USA
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11
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Runia TJ, Solem AJ, Niemuth ND, Barnes KW. Spatially Explicit Habitat Models for Prairie Grouse: Implications for Improved Population Monitoring and Targeted Conservation. WILDLIFE SOC B 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Travis J. Runia
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks 895 3rd Street SW Huron SD 57350 USA
| | - Alex J. Solem
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks 895 3rd Street SW Huron SD 57350 USA
| | - Neal D. Niemuth
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team 3425 Miriam Avenue Bismarck ND 58501 USA
| | - Kevin W. Barnes
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Prairie Pothole Joint Venture, Habitat and Population Evaluation Team 922 Bootlegger Trail Great Falls MT 59404 USA
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12
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Taubmann J, Kämmerle JL, Andrén H, Braunisch V, Storch I, Fiedler W, Suchant R, Coppes J. Wind energy facilities affect resource selection of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Taubmann
- J. Taubmann (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8339-0184), J.-L. Kämmerle (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5751-9757), V. Braunisch (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7035-4662), R. Suchant (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3600-7063) and J. Coppes (https://orcid.org/000
| | - Jim-Lino Kämmerle
- J. Taubmann (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8339-0184), J.-L. Kämmerle (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5751-9757), V. Braunisch (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7035-4662), R. Suchant (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3600-7063) and J. Coppes (https://orcid.org/000
| | - Henrik Andrén
- H. Andrén (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5616-2426), Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Dept of Ecology, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Veronika Braunisch
- J. Taubmann (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8339-0184), J.-L. Kämmerle (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5751-9757), V. Braunisch (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7035-4662), R. Suchant (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3600-7063) and J. Coppes (https://orcid.org/000
| | - Ilse Storch
- JT and I. Storch (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3252-2036), Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Univ. of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Fiedler
- W. Fiedler (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1082-4161), Dept of Migration and Immuno-Ecology, Max Planck Inst. of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Rudi Suchant
- J. Taubmann (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8339-0184), J.-L. Kämmerle (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5751-9757), V. Braunisch (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7035-4662), R. Suchant (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3600-7063) and J. Coppes (https://orcid.org/000
| | - Joy Coppes
- J. Taubmann (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8339-0184), J.-L. Kämmerle (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5751-9757), V. Braunisch (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7035-4662), R. Suchant (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3600-7063) and J. Coppes (https://orcid.org/000
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13
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Wyffels SA, Boss DL, Sowell BF, DelCurto T, Bowman JGP, McNew LB. Dormant season grazing on northern mixed grass prairie agroecosystems: Does protein supplement intake, cow age, weight and body condition impact beef cattle resource use and residual vegetation cover? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240629. [PMID: 33048976 PMCID: PMC7553296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Dormant season livestock grazing reduces reliance on harvested feeds, but typically requires protein supplementation to maintain animal performance. Individual variation in supplement intake can impact animal performance; however, it is unknown if this variation leads to individual or herd-level effects on grazing behavior, resource utilization, and grazing impacts to native rangelands. To examine effects of protein supplementation on dormant season cattle resource use and, subsequently, post-grazing habitat conditions, we examined cattle grazing behavior, resource utilization and biomass removal of vegetation on a native rangeland in Montana. A commercial herd of 272 (yr 1) and 302 (yr 2) cows grazed a 329-ha rangeland pasture from November to January. Intake of a 30% crude protein supplement was measured for each individual. Five individuals within each of six age groups were equipped with GPS collars. Time spent grazing declined with supplement intake ([Formula: see text] = -0.05 ± 0.02; P < 0.01). Distance traveled per day had a positive asymptotic association with supplement intake ([Formula: see text] = 0.35 ± 0.09; P < 0.01). On average, resource utilization by cattle grazing dormant season forage decreased with terrain ruggedness ([Formula: see text] = -0.09 ± 0.03), but was unrelated to aspect, temperature and wind speed. Notably, we observed high individual variability in resource utilization for elevation, distance from supplement and water. A post-hoc analysis suggested that individual attributes (age, body weight, supplement intake) influenced cattle resource use. At moderate stocking rates, dormant season livestock grazing did not affect residual vegetation conditions (P values > 0.22). However, residual cover of forbs and litter increased with relative grazing intensity ([Formula: see text] = 1.04 ± 0.41; [Formula: see text] = 3.06 ± 0.89; P ≤ 0.05). In summary, high individual variability in grazing resource utilization of cattle suggests individual-level factors could be the dominant drivers in grazing behavior and landscape use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Wyffels
- Northern Ag Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, Montana, United States of America
| | - Darrin L. Boss
- Northern Ag Research Center, Montana State University, Havre, Montana, United States of America
| | - Bok F. Sowell
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Timothy DelCurto
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Janice G. P. Bowman
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Lance B. McNew
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
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14
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The “Green on Green” Conflict in Wind Energy Development: A Case Study of Environmentally Conscious Individuals in Oklahoma, USA. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12198184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Development in wind energy technology and deployment of infrastructure reduces reliance on fossil fuels and can further energy security goals. Wind energy, however, can conflict with other green interests. The goal of this research was to examine the perceptions of environmentally conscious individuals at the intersection of wind energy development and biodiversity conservation interests. A majority of respondents identified that they cared very much about both renewable energy development as well as biodiversity conservation. We found that while participants were aware of the shifting causes of mortality of bird populations, they were less aware of the implications of wind energy on bat populations. In addition, attitudes towards biodiversity conservation as well as wind energy development were statistically significant when looking at the identification of some impacts. Most participants were willing to support wind energy development considering trade-offs related to factors such as visual impacts or economic benefits if it had no impacts on biodiversity conservation. Our research shows that environmentally conscious individuals are well-informed on only some impacts of wind energy development. Results also suggest that biodiversity conservation impacts are prioritized by environmentally conscious individuals when gauging support for wind energy development. As sustainable development continues, it is important to consider this green on green conflict, as renewable energy development is not only confronted by general issues of public opposition, but also specific environmental complaints.
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Peterson JM, Earl JE, Fuhlendorf SD, Elmore RD, Haukos DA, Tanner AM, Carleton SA. Estimating response distances of lesser prairie‐chickens to anthropogenic features during long‐distance movements. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M. Peterson
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma74078USA
| | - Julia E. Earl
- School of Biological Sciences Louisiana Tech University Ruston Louisiana71272USA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma74078USA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma74078USA
| | - David A. Haukos
- U.S. Geological Survey Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas66506USA
| | - Ashley M. Tanner
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma74078USA
| | - Scott A. Carleton
- U.S. Geological Survey New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit New Mexico State University Las Cruces New Mexico87103USA
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Habitat selection of female sharp-tailed grouse in grasslands managed for livestock production. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233756. [PMID: 32497098 PMCID: PMC7272000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat selection links individual behavior to population abundance and dynamics, so evaluation of habitat selection is necessary for conservation and management. Land management can potentially alter both the structure and composition of habitats, thus influencing habitat selection and population size. Livestock grazing is the dominant land use worldwide and, while overstocking has been linked to the decline of many wildlife species, properly managed grazing could improve habitat quality and maintain native rangeland habitats. We evaluated breeding season habitat selection of female sharp-tailed grouse, an indicator species for grassland ecosystems, in relation to grazing management and landscape features in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. At broad spatial scales, females selected for multiple landscape features, including grassland, but exhibited no selection for either landscape or management variables when selecting habitat at smaller spatial scales. Females selected for pastures managed with rest-rotation grazing when choosing a home range, but selection did not equate to improved fitness. Moreover, we observed strong individual variation in both home range size and third-order habitat selection. While the high variability among individuals makes specific management recommendations difficult, selection for grassland habitats at broad scales suggests that strategies that maintain intact native rangelands are important for the conservation of sharp-tailed grouse.
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Stokke BG, Nygård T, Falkdalen U, Pedersen HC, May R. Effect of tower base painting on willow ptarmigan collision rates with wind turbines. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5670-5679. [PMID: 32607182 PMCID: PMC7319111 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds colliding with turbine rotor blades is a well-known negative consequence of wind-power plants. However, there has been far less attention to the risk of birds colliding with the turbine towers, and how to mitigate this risk.Based on data from the Smøla wind-power plant in Central Norway, it seems highly likely that willow ptarmigan (the only gallinaceous species found on the island) is prone to collide with turbine towers. By employing a BACI-approach, we tested if painting the lower parts of turbine towers black would reduce the collision risk.Overall, there was a 48% reduction in the number of recorded ptarmigan carcasses per search at painted turbines relative to neighboring control (unpainted) ones, with significant variation both within and between years.Using contrast painting to the turbine towers resulted in significantly reduced number of ptarmigan carcasses found, emphasizing the effectiveness of such a relatively simple mitigation measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bård G. Stokke
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
| | - Torgeir Nygård
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
| | | | | | - Roel May
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)TrondheimNorway
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Londe DW, Fuhlendorf SD, Elmore RD, Davis CA, Rutledge J. Female Greater Prairie‐Chicken response to energy development and rangeland management. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Londe
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - Craig A. Davis
- Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Agriculture Hall Stillwater Oklahoma 74074 USA
| | - Jimmy Rutledge
- El Coyote Ranch P.O. Box 392 Carrizo Springs Texas 78834 USA
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Shaffer JA, Loesch CR, Buhl DA. Estimating offsets for avian displacement effects of anthropogenic impacts. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01983. [PMID: 31348559 PMCID: PMC6916566 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity offsetting, or compensatory mitigation, is increasingly being used in temperate grassland ecosystems to compensate for unavoidable environmental damage from anthropogenic developments such as transportation infrastructure, urbanization, and energy development. Pursuit of energy independence in the United States will expand domestic energy production. Concurrent with this increased growth is increased disruption to wildlife habitats, including avian displacement from suitable breeding habitat. Recent studies at energy-extraction and energy-generation facilities have provided evidence for behavioral avoidance and thus reduced use of habitat by breeding waterfowl and grassland birds in the vicinity of energy infrastructure. To quantify and compensate for this loss in value of avian breeding habitat, it is necessary to determine a biologically based currency so that the sufficiency of offsets in terms of biological equivalent value can be obtained. We describe a method for quantifying the amount of habitat needed to provide equivalent biological value for avifauna displaced by energy and transportation infrastructure, based on the ability to define five metrics: impact distance, impact area, pre-impact density, percent displacement, and offset density. We calculate percent displacement values for breeding waterfowl and grassland birds and demonstrate the applicability of our avian-impact offset method using examples for wind and oil infrastructure. We also apply our method to an example in which the biological value of the offset habitat is similar to the impacted habitat, based on similarity in habitat type (e.g., native prairie), geographical location, land use, and landscape composition, as well as to an example in which the biological value of the offset habitat is dissimilar to the impacted habitat. We provide a worksheet that informs potential users how to apply our method to their specific developments and a framework for developing decision-support tools aimed at achieving landscape-level conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill A. Shaffer
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Prairie Wildlife Research Center8711 37th Street SEJamestownNorth Dakota58401USA
| | - Charles R. Loesch
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceHabitat and Population Evaluation Team3425 Miriam AvenueBismarckNorth Dakota58501USA
| | - Deborah A. Buhl
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Prairie Wildlife Research Center8711 37th Street SEJamestownNorth Dakota58401USA
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21
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Plumb RT, Lautenbach JM, Robinson SG, Haukos DA, Winder VL, Hagen CA, Sullins DS, Pitman JC, Dahlgren DK. Lesser prairie-chicken space use in relation to anthropogenic structures. J Wildl Manage 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Reid T. Plumb
- Kansas State University; 212 Leasure Hall Manhattan KS 66506 USA
| | | | | | - David A. Haukos
- U.S. Geological Survey; Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; 205 Leasure Hall Manhattan KS 660506 USA
| | - Virginia L. Winder
- Benedictine College; 1020 North 2nd Street, Westerman 200 Atchison KS 66002 USA
| | - Christian A. Hagen
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Oregon State University; 104 Nash Hall Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | | | - James C. Pitman
- Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism; 1830 Merchant Emporia KS 66801 USA
| | - David K. Dahlgren
- Education Specialist II, Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; Logan UT 84322 USA
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22
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Robinson SG. Effects of Landscape Characteristics on Annual Survival of Lesser Prairie-Chickens. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-180.1.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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23
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Gómez-Catasús J, Garza V, Traba J. Wind farms affect the occurrence, abundance and population trends of small passerine birds: The case of the Dupont's lark. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vicente Garza
- Department of Ecology; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
- C/ Vía Límite; 29 E-28029 Madrid Spain
| | - Juan Traba
- Department of Ecology; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Madrid Spain
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24
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Robinson SG, Haukos DA, Plumb RT, Lautenbach JM, Sullins DS, Kraft JD, Lautenbach JD, Hagen CA, Pitman JC. Nonbreeding home‐range size and survival of lesser prairie‐chickens. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David A. Haukos
- U.S. Geological SurveyKansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitManhattanKansas660506USA
| | - Reid T. Plumb
- Division of BiologyKansas State UniversityManhattanKS66506USA
| | | | | | - John D. Kraft
- Division of BiologyKansas State UniversityManhattanKS66506USA
| | | | | | - James C. Pitman
- Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and TourismEmporiaKS66801USA
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25
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Winder VL, McNew LB, Pitman JC, Sandercock BK. Effects of rangeland management on survival of female greater prairie-chickens. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lance B. McNew
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences; Montana State University; Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - James C. Pitman
- Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism; Emporia KS 66801 USA
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Carroll JM, Davis CA, Elmore RD, Fuhlendorf SD. Using a historic drought and high-heat event to validate thermal exposure predictions for ground-dwelling birds. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:6413-6422. [PMID: 28861244 PMCID: PMC5574822 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Deviations from typical environmental conditions can provide insight into how organisms may respond to future weather extremes predicted by climate modeling. During an episodic and multimonth heat wave event (i.e., ambient temperature up to 43.4°C), we studied the thermal ecology of a ground-dwelling bird species in Western Oklahoma, USA. Specifically, we measured black bulb temperature (Tbb) and vegetation parameters at northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) adult and brood locations as well as at stratified random points in the study area. On the hottest days (i.e., ≥39°C), adults and broods obtained thermal refuge using tall woody cover that remained on average up to 16.51°C cooler than random sites on the landscape which reached >57°C. We also found that refuge sites used by bobwhites moderated thermal conditions by more than twofold compared to stratified random sites on the landscape but that Tbb commonly exceeded thermal stress thresholds for bobwhites (39°C) for several hours of the day within thermal refuges. The serendipitous high heat conditions captured in our study represent extreme heat for our study region as well as thermal stress for our study species, and subsequently allowed us to assess ground-dwelling bird responses to temperatures that are predicted to become more common in the future. Our findings confirm the critical importance of tall woody cover for moderating temperatures and functioning as important islands of thermal refuge for ground-dwelling birds, especially during extreme heat. However, the potential for extreme heat loads within thermal refuges that we observed (albeit much less extreme than the landscape) indicates that the functionality of tall woody cover to mitigate heat extremes may be increasingly limited in the future, thereby reinforcing predictions that climate change represents a clear and present danger for these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Carroll
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Craig A. Davis
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and ManagementOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
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Łopucki R, Klich D, Gielarek S. Do terrestrial animals avoid areas close to turbines in functioning wind farms in agricultural landscapes? ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:343. [PMID: 28631229 PMCID: PMC5487708 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6018-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Most studies on the effects of wind energy on animals have focused on avian and bat activity, habitat use, and mortality, whereas very few have been published on terrestrial, non-volant wildlife. In this paper, we studied the utilization of functioning wind farm areas by four terrestrial animals common to agricultural landscapes: European roe deer, European hare, red fox, and the common pheasant. Firstly, we expected that the studied animals do not avoid areas close to turbines and utilize the whole area of functioning wind farms with a frequency similar to the control areas. Secondly, we expected that there is no relation between the turbine proximity and the number of tracks of these animals. The study was conducted over two winter seasons using the snow-tracking method along 100 m linear transects. In total, 583 transects were recorded. Wind farm operations may affect terrestrial animals both in wind farm interiors and in a 700-m buffer zone around the edge of turbines. The reactions of animals were species specific. Herbivorous mammals (roe deer and European hare) avoided wind farm interiors and proximity to turbines. The common pheasant showed a positive reaction to wind turbine proximity. The red fox had the most neutral response to wind turbines. Although this species visited wind farm interiors less often than the control area, there was no relation between fox track density and turbine proximity. Greater weight should be given to the effects of wind farms on non-flying wildlife than at present. Investors and regulatory authorities should always consider the likely impacts of wind farms during environmental impact assessments and try to reduce these negative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Łopucki
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Gielarek
- The Regional Directorates for Environmental Protection in Lublin, Bazylianówka 46, 20-144 Lublin, Poland
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Smith JA, Brown MB, Harrison JO, Powell LA. Predation risk: a potential mechanism for effects of a wind energy facility on Greater Prairie‐Chicken survival. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J. A. Smith
- School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln Nebraska 68583 USA
| | - M. B. Brown
- School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln Nebraska 68583 USA
| | - J. O. Harrison
- School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln Nebraska 68583 USA
| | - L. A. Powell
- School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln Nebraska 68583 USA
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Powell LA, Brown MB, Smith JA, Harrison JO, Whalen CE. Modeling the spatial effects of disturbance: a constructive critique to provide evidence of ecological thresholds. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Larkin A. Powell
- L. A. Powell (orcid.org/0000-0003-0570-4210) , M. Bomberger Brown, J. A. Smith, J. Olney Harrison and C. E. Whalen, School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0974, USA. JAS currently at: Dept of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VI, USA
| | - Mary Bomberger Brown
- L. A. Powell (orcid.org/0000-0003-0570-4210) , M. Bomberger Brown, J. A. Smith, J. Olney Harrison and C. E. Whalen, School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0974, USA. JAS currently at: Dept of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VI, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Smith
- L. A. Powell (orcid.org/0000-0003-0570-4210) , M. Bomberger Brown, J. A. Smith, J. Olney Harrison and C. E. Whalen, School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0974, USA. JAS currently at: Dept of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VI, USA
| | - Jocelyn Olney Harrison
- L. A. Powell (orcid.org/0000-0003-0570-4210) , M. Bomberger Brown, J. A. Smith, J. Olney Harrison and C. E. Whalen, School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0974, USA. JAS currently at: Dept of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VI, USA
| | - Cara E. Whalen
- L. A. Powell (orcid.org/0000-0003-0570-4210) , M. Bomberger Brown, J. A. Smith, J. Olney Harrison and C. E. Whalen, School of Natural Resources, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0974, USA. JAS currently at: Dept of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VI, USA
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LeBeau CW, Johnson GD, Holloran MJ, Beck JL, Nielson RM, Kauffman ME, Rodemaker EJ, McDonald TL. Greater sage-grouse habitat selection, survival, and wind energy infrastructure. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chad W. LeBeau
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 South 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
| | - Gregory D. Johnson
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 415 W. 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne WY 82001 USA
| | | | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Dept 3354, 1000 East University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Ryan M. Nielson
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 415 W. 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne WY 82001 USA
| | - Mandy E. Kauffman
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 South 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
| | - Eli J. Rodemaker
- Wyoming Wildlife Consultants, LLC; P.O. Box 893 Pinedale WY 82941 USA
| | - Trent L. McDonald
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 South 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
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31
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Lebeau CW, Beck JL, Johnson GD, Nielson RM, Holloran MJ, Gerow KG, McDonald TL. Greater sage-grouse male lek counts relative to a wind energy development. WILDLIFE SOC B 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chad W. Lebeau
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Dept 3354, 1000 E University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Beck
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management; University of Wyoming; Dept 3354, 1000 E University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Gregory D. Johnson
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 415 W 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne WY 82001 USA
| | - Ryan M. Nielson
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 415 W 17th Street, Suite 200 Cheyenne WY 82001 USA
| | - Matthew J. Holloran
- Wyoming Wildlife Consultants, LLC; 1612 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 9 Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Kenneth G. Gerow
- Department of Statistics; University of Wyoming; Dept 3332, 1000 E University Avenue Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Trent L. McDonald
- Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.; 200 S 2nd Street Laramie WY 82070 USA
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Tanner EP, Elmore RD, Davis CA, Fuhlendorf SD, Dahlgren DK, Thacker ET, Orange JP. Does the presence of Oil and gas infrastructure potentially increase risk of harvest in northern bobwhite? WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Ross BE, Haukos D, Hagen C, Pitman J. The relative contribution of climate to changes in lesser prairie‐chicken abundance. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Beth E. Ross
- Division of BiologyKansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitKansas State University Manhattan Kansas 66506 USA
| | - David Haukos
- U.S. Geological SurveyKansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitKansas State University Manhattan Kansas 66506 USA
| | | | - James Pitman
- Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Emporia Kansas 66801 USA
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Ganser C, Gregory AJ, McNew LB, Hunt LA, Sandercock BK, Wisely SM. Fine-scale distribution modeling of avian malaria vectors in north-central Kansas. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2016; 41:114-122. [PMID: 27232133 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases increasingly play a role in the decline of wildlife populations. Vector-borne diseases, in particular, have been implicated in mass mortality events and localized population declines are threatening some species with extinction. Transmission patterns for vector-borne diseases are influenced by the spatial distribution of vectors and are therefore not uniform across the landscape. Avian malaria is a globally distributed vector-borne disease that has been shown to affect endemic bird populations of North America. We evaluated shared habitat use between avian malaria vectors, mosquitoes in the genus Culex and a native grassland bird, the Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), by (1) modeling the distribution of Culex spp. occurrence across the Smoky Hills of north-central Kansas using detection data and habitat variables, (2) assessing the occurrence of these vectors at nests of female Greater Prairie-Chickens, and (3) evaluating if shared habitat use between vectors and hosts is correlated with malarial infection status of the Greater Prairie-Chicken. Our results indicate that Culex occurrence increased at nest locations compared to other available but unoccupied grassland habitats; however the shared habitat use between vectors and hosts did not result in an increased prevalence of malarial parasites in Greater Prairie-Chickens that occupied habitats with high vector occurrence. We developed a predictive map to illustrate the associations between Culex occurrence and infection status with malarial parasites in an obligate grassland bird that may be used to guide management decisions to limit the spread of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ganser
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 60506, U.S.A
- Department of Wildlife Ecology Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A
| | - Andrew J Gregory
- School of Earth, the Environment, Society, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, U.S.A
| | - Lance B McNew
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 60506, U.S.A
- Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, U.S.A
| | - Lyla A Hunt
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 60506, U.S.A
| | - Brett K Sandercock
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 60506, U.S.A
| | - Samantha M Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A..
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Smith JA, Whalen CE, Bomberger Brown M, Powell LA. Indirect Effects of an Existing Wind Energy Facility on Lekking Behavior of Greater Prairie-Chickens. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Smith
- School of Natural Resources; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln NE USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Blacksburg VA USA
| | - Cara E. Whalen
- School of Natural Resources; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln NE USA
| | | | - Larkin A. Powell
- School of Natural Resources; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln NE USA
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Winder VL, Carrlson KM, Gregory AJ, Hagen CA, Haukos DA, Kesler DC, Larsson LC, Matthews TW, McNew LB, Patten MA, Pitman JC, Powell LA, Smith JA, Thompson T, Wolfe DH, Sandercock BK. Factors affecting female space use in ten populations of prairie chickens. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es14-00536.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Hovick TJ, Dahlgren DK, Papeş M, Elmore RD, Pitman JC. Predicting Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek Site Suitability to Inform Conservation Actions. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137021. [PMID: 26317349 PMCID: PMC4552759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The demands of a growing human population dictates that expansion of energy infrastructure, roads, and other development frequently takes place in native rangelands. Particularly, transmission lines and roads commonly divide rural landscapes and increase fragmentation. This has direct and indirect consequences on native wildlife that can be mitigated through thoughtful planning and proactive approaches to identifying areas of high conservation priority. We used nine years (2003-2011) of Greater Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) lek locations totaling 870 unique leks sites in Kansas and seven geographic information system (GIS) layers describing land cover, topography, and anthropogenic structures to model habitat suitability across the state. The models obtained had low omission rates (<0.18) and high area under the curve scores (AUC >0.81), indicating high model performance and reliability of predicted habitat suitability for Greater Prairie-Chickens. We found that elevation was the most influential in predicting lek locations, contributing three times more predictive power than any other variable. However, models were improved by the addition of land cover and anthropogenic features (transmission lines, roads, and oil and gas structures). Overall, our analysis provides a hierarchal understanding of Greater Prairie-Chicken habitat suitability that is broadly based on geomorphological features followed by land cover suitability. We found that when land features and vegetation cover are suitable for Greater Prairie-Chickens, fragmentation by anthropogenic sources such as roadways and transmission lines are a concern. Therefore, it is our recommendation that future human development in Kansas avoid areas that our models identified as highly suitable for Greater Prairie-Chickens and focus development on land cover types that are of lower conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torre J. Hovick
- School of Natural Resource Sciences-Range Program, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States of America
| | - David K. Dahlgren
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States of America
| | - Monica Papeş
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States of America
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States of America
| | - James C. Pitman
- Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Emporia, KS, United States of America
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Schuster E, Bulling L, Köppel J. Consolidating the State of Knowledge: A Synoptical Review of Wind Energy's Wildlife Effects. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 56:300-31. [PMID: 25910869 PMCID: PMC4493795 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0501-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Wind energy development contributes substantially to achieve climate protection goals. Unintended side effects, especially on wildlife, have long been discussed and substantial research has evolved over the last decade. At this stage, it is important to identify what we have learnt so far, as well as which predominant uncertainties and gaps remain. This review article aims to consolidate the state of knowledge, providing a qualitative analysis of the main effects of wind energy development on- and offshore, focusing on frequently studied species groups (bats, breeding and resting birds, raptors, migratory birds, marine mammals). We reviewed over 220 publications from which we identified predominant hypotheses that were summarized and displayed in tables. Journal publications, conference contributions, and further studies have been considered. We found that research focusing on offshore wind energy within the last couple of years has increased significantly as well, catching up with the vast amount of onshore studies. Some hypotheses have been verified by numerous publications and a consensus has been reached (e.g., correlation between bat activity and weather factors), while others are still being debated more (e.g., determination of migratory corridors) or remain unknown (e.g., effect on population level). Factors influencing potential effects were mainly related to species characteristics (morphology, phenology, abundance, behavior, and response to turbines) or site characteristics (landscape features, weather, and habitat quality). Consolidating the state of research provides the groundwork for the identification of mitigation measures and advanced planning approaches. However, the quantification of effects remains challenging and uncertainties will always persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Schuster
- Environmental Assessment and Planning Research Group, Berlin Institute of Technology, Strasse des 17. Juni 145, 10623, Berlin, Germany,
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Braunisch V, Coppes J, Bächle S, Suchant R. Underpinning the precautionary principle with evidence: A spatial concept for guiding wind power development in endangered species’ habitats. J Nat Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Hovick TJ, Elmore RD, Dahlgren DK, Fuhlendorf SD, Engle DM. REVIEW: Evidence of negative effects of anthropogenic structures on wildlife: a review of grouse survival and behaviour. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Torre J. Hovick
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - R. Dwayne Elmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - David K. Dahlgren
- Jack H. Berryman Institute; Department of Wildland Resources; Utah State University; 5230 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322 USA
| | - Samuel D. Fuhlendorf
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
| | - David M. Engle
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Oklahoma State University; 008c Ag Hall Stillwater OK 74078 USA
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