Long considered ecological foes, some kinds of livestock grazing might actually benefit endangered sage grouse, says a study in the journal Ecological Applications.
“Late-season grazing leaves in place for longer the grasses and other vegetation that sage grouse nest in, increasing their breeding success, researchers concluded. It also can stimulate the growth of vegetation that sage grouse eat, according to scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado State University and Utah State University,” says The Missoulian.
The sage grouse population has dropped from a peak of about 16 million to 200,000 to 500,000, and grazing, at least early in the season, has long been held as part of the reason for the bird’s decline.
Adrian Monroe, a researcher at Colorado State, said that she’s hopeful the study will help point out ways that ranchers and conservationists can work together.
“There could be benefits to both grouse and producers in terms of management,” Monroe said. “Up until now, we really lacked studies that directly linked the status and trends of sage grouse populations to management of livestock.”