A new study of the greater sage-grouse’s population finds that the bird’s numbers decreased 56 percent between 2007 and 2013, leading to the conclusion that the sage-grouse is at even greater risk than biologists thought and suggesting that conservation efforts are largely failing. The research, commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trusts and conducted by Edward (Oz) Garton, professor emeritus in wildlife ecology and statistics at the University of Idaho, represents the most comprehensive population update since 2011. "This report provides definitive evidence about the fragile state of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), an indicator species for the health of the interior West’s sagebrush region — where hundreds of other wildlife and plant species also live,” said Ken Rait, director of Pew’s U.S. public lands project. “We hope that this latest data will be used by the BLM and Western states to develop strong science-based land management plans that responsibly balance adequate protection of the sage-grouse and this important habitat with energy development and other land uses across the interior West.” The grim news comes as 11 Western states that include Utah gird for a possible listing of the bird this fall, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scheduled to make a decision in September.
Source: Deseret News, April 27, 2015
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865627416/Pew-study-shows-dramatic-d…
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