Climatic variability and the productivity of non-game sagebrush birds

Duration

August 2016 - August 2019

Narrative

Sagebrush habitats have been extensively converted, fragmented, and altered via a wide range of human activities, which has resulted in concomitant declines in associated wildlife species, including sagebrush-obligate songbirds. Simultaneously, climatic regimes can influence wildlife, especially species that inhabit exposed, arid environments such as the sagebrush steppe. Biologists and managers, however, do not yet have the requisite information with which to assess how weather patterns such as high temperatures and moisture deficits will influence sagebrush songbird populations. The primary project partner is the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Results of the work will address information gaps identified by the Sagebrush Conservation Strategy, be used to update the Wyoming Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, and contribute to the development of better monitoring and mitigation strategies for sagebrush songbirds most at risk from additional habitat change range-wide.