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Assessment of lesser prairie-chicken lek density relative to landscape characteristics in Texas [electronic resource].

Published:
Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy, 2012.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description:
653.06 KB : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators:
Texas Tech University, United States. Department of Energy, and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
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Summary:
My 2.5-yr Master'™s project accomplished the objectives of estimating lesser prairie-chicken (LPC) lek density and abundance in the Texas occupied range and modeling anthropogenic and landscape features associated with lek density by flying helicopter lek surveys for 2 field seasons and employing a line-transect distance sampling method. This project was important for several reasons. Firstly, wildlife managers and biologists have traditionally monitored LPC populations with road-based surveys that may result in biased estimates and do not provide access to privately-owned or remote property. From my aerial surveys and distance sampling, I was able to provide accurate density and abundance estimates, as well as new leks and I detected LPCs outside the occupied range. Secondly, recent research has indicated that energy development has the potential to impact LPCs through avoidance of tall structures, increased mortality from raptors perching on transmission lines, disturbance to nesting hens, and habitat loss/fragmentation. Given the potential wind energy development in the Texas Panhandle, spatial models of current anthropogenic and vegetative features (such as transmission lines, roads, and percent native grassland) influencing lek density were needed. This information provided wildlife managers and wind energy developers in Texas with guidelines for how change in landscape features could impact LPCs. Lastly, LPC populations have faced range-wide declines over the last century and they are currently listed as a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act. I was able to provide timely information on LPC populations in Texas that will be used during the listing process.
Report Numbers:
E 1.99:0000530
0000530
Subject(s):
Other Subject(s):
Note:
Published through SciTech Connect.
08/31/2012.
"0000530"
Jennifer Timmer; Matthew Butler; Warren Ballard; Clint Boal; Heather Whitlaw.
Type of Report and Period Covered Note:
Final; 08/01/2009 - 05/30/2012
Funding Information:
EE0000530
View MARC record | catkey: 14128957