Ruffed grouse population dynamics in the central and southern Appalachians

Ruffed grouse ( Bonasa umbellus; hereafter grouse) populations in the central and southern Appalachians are in decline. However, limited information on the dynamics of these populations prevents the development of effective management strategies to reverse these trends. We used radiotelemetry data c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological conservation 2006-12, Vol.133 (3), p.364-378
Main Authors: Tirpak, John M., Giuliano, William M., Allan Miller, C., Allen, Thomas J., Bittner, Steve, Buehler, David A., Edwards, John W., Harper, Craig A., Igo, William K., Norman, Gary W., Seamster, M., Stauffer, Dean F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Bonasa umbellus
Brood
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Demecology
Elasticity
Fagus grandifolia
Fecundity
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Life stage analysis
Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking
Quercus
Sensitivity
Survival
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Summary:Ruffed grouse ( Bonasa umbellus; hereafter grouse) populations in the central and southern Appalachians are in decline. However, limited information on the dynamics of these populations prevents the development of effective management strategies to reverse these trends. We used radiotelemetry data collected on grouse to parameterize 6 models of population growth to: (1) determine the pattern of growth in these populations, and (2) identify the demographic rates most important to growth. Trend estimates from population models were most similar to trend estimates derived from Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count data when models incorporated either a reproductive or survival event. These events randomly increased fecundity or survival, respectively, to their empirical maxima on average once every 5 years. Reproductive events improved estimates on areas dominated by mixed mesophytic forest, while survival events characterized population growth on oak ( Quercus spp.)-dominated sites. The finite rate of increase ( λ) was most sensitive to brood survival followed by adult and juvenile non-breeding survival on most sites. However, brood survival was low (
ISSN:0006-3207
1873-2917
DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.06.014