Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Tuesday 28 March 2017

Study: Livestock grazing can benefit struggling bird species

MATTHEW BROWN until now, we really lacked
Associated Press studies that directly linked
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A the status and trends of
new study disputes a wide- sage grouse populations to
ly-held view that livestock management of livestock.”
grazing is largely incompat- Monroe added that the
ible with a ground-dwelling researchers’ conclusions
bird that has suffered a dra- were not meant to pro-
matic population decline vide a “one-size fits all” ap-
across its 11-state range in proach. The work is most
the U.S. West. relevant to Wyoming, be-
Researchers said some cause that’s where the
grazing, particularly later study was centered, and
in the growing season, areas with similar arid land-
could actually benefit the scapes in neighboring
chicken-sized greater sage states such as Colorado
grouse. and Montana.
Late-season grazing leaves Jim Magagna with the
in place for longer the Wyoming Stockgrowers As-
grasses and other vegeta- sociation welcomed the
tion that sage grouse nest study’s conclusions. But
in, increasing their breed- he cautioned against us-
ing success, researchers ing the findings to dictate
concluded. It also can stim- In this April 22, 2015, file photo, a male sage grouse struts in the early morning hours on a leak where and when grazing
ulate the growth of vegeta- outside Baggs, Wyo. can occur.
tion that sage grouse eat, Associated Press “I don’t think it lends itself
according to scientists from to a simple formula say-
the U.S. Geological Survey, strongholds. of the bird’s decline, along give land managers an- ing, ‘This is the right way to
Colorado State University An estimated 200,000 to with disease, oil and gas other tool to help assess graze,’ “ Magagna said.
and Utah State University. 500,000 grouse remain in drilling and other factors. grazing’s impacts on a lo- The U.S. Interior Depart-
The study was published in the U.S., down from a peak The latest findings don’t cal level, said Adrian Mon- ment in 2015 rejected fed-
the scientific journal Eco- population of about 16 mil- reject that claim outright, roe, a research scientist at eral protections for sage
logical Applications. It fo- lion. saying higher levels of graz- Colorado State and the grouse, saying conserva-
cused on more than 700 Grazing on land occupied ing early in the growing study’s lead author. tion efforts by government
breeding sites for sage by greater sage grouse is season have been closely “There could be benefits to agencies and the private
grouse in Wyoming, one frequently cited by biolo- related to grouse popula- both grouse and produc- sector were helping turn
of the bird’s last remaining gists as one of the causes tion declines. ers in terms of manage- around the bird’s declining

The new research could ment,” Monroe said. “Up fortunes.q