Sage Grouse Monitoring

Male sage grouse performing a courtship display

US Forest Service

Importance and Issues

• The greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) has been decreasing in numbers and range throughout much of the western United States. These losses have led to several petitions to list certain populations, subspecies, or species of sage grouse as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
• The sage grouse has unique seasonal habitat requirements and the loss or conversion of these habitats is believed to be a primary cause of the declines. The sage grouse is a sagebrush obligate species and is considered an umbrella species for other species of fauna and flora.
• Idaho Department of Fish and Game is currently monitoring sage grouse populations of southeastern Idaho by using lek counts. Considering their efforts and the expansive habitat used by the species, which crosses ownership and agency boundaries, the Network plans to collaborate with the Department for mutual benefit and understanding of the species

Monitoring Objectives

• Cooperate with Idaho Department of Fish and Game to estimate trends in occupancy and abundance of male sage grouse through annual lek counts in and adjacent to (within 3.2 km [2 mi] of park boundaries) the parks.
• Identify potential critical sage grouse habitat areas within the parks and conduct periodic status surveys in these areas to estimate occupancy and abundance.

Parks Where Sage Grouse Are Monitored

• City of Rocks National Reserve
• Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

Reports and Publications

Sage Grouse Monitoring Protocols & Procedures

Source: Data Store Saved Search 729. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Resource Briefs
Summaries of fieldwork and findings

Source: Data Store Saved Search 888. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.