Influence of fine-scale habitat characteristics on sage-grouse nest site selection and nest survival varies by mesic and xeric site conditions

Abstract Resource managers and scientists across western U.S. agencies seek methodologies for identifying environmental attributes important to both wildlife conservation broad-scale land stewardship. The Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage-grouse) exemplifies a species in need of this approach given widespread population declines that have resulted from loss degradation habitat natural anthropogenic disturbances. These include agricultural conversion, conifer expansion, energy development, wildfire coupled with ecological conversion by invasive plants such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Development assessments actions sage-grouse benefit studies link demographic responses selection patterns. To address this, we examined nest survival relation fine-scale patterns (i.e., field-based measurements) influenced site selection, using data nests telemetered females at 17 sites over 6 years Nevada northeastern California, USA. Importantly, spanned mesic xeric average precipitation conditions contributed substantially vegetation community structure cold desert ecosystems the North American Great Basin. Vegetative cover immediately surrounding was survival, but varied between sites. For example, while taller perennial grasses were selected sites, found no evidence grass indicating functional response availability features hydrographic regions. Furthermore, height forb had positive effects on varying We emphasize driving ecosystem productivity vary regionally among sagebrush communities, shaping suitable nesting sage-grouse.