Spring and Summer Habitat Preferences of Blue Grouse on the Bear River Range, Utah

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All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies

5-1971

Robert M. Maestro Utah State University

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Recommended Citation Maestro, Robert M., "Spring and Summer Habitat Preferences of Blue Grouse on the Bear River Range, Utah" (1971). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 3519. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3519

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SPRING AND SUMMER HABITAT PREFERENCES OF BLUE GROUSE ON THE BEAR RIVER RANGE, UTAH by Robert M. Maestro A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Wildlife Biology

UTAH STATE UIIVERS ITY Logan, Utah 1971 ,$ 7<6. 2 /Vl d..w'6 s c./;)

ACKNOWLEDGE11EIH

The author would like to thank the me mbers of his graduate committee, Dr. Jessop B. Low and Dr. David Balph, of the Wildlife Resources

Department, Dr. Neil West of the Range ~nee Department, Dr. Ke ith Dixon of the Zoology Department, and Professor Arthur Holmgren of the

Botany Department . The author is further indebted to those many employees in the State Fish and Game Department and the U.S. Forest Service who assisted through their contribution of personal knowledge, with a special vote of thanks to Allen Boss, Jack Rensel, and Frank Gunnel. The author is also indebted to Norman Slade for his help with the statistical ana lys is . Last, but certainly not least, the author would like to thank his wife, Barbara for her help, understanding, and

': Robert 1 ~. 11aestro TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page INTRODUCTION Objectives 3 RE VIEW OF LITERATURE 4 General 4 Migration . 4 Capture and Tagging Techniques 5 Sexing and Aging Techniques 6 Parasites and Disease 7 Pesticides 7 Breeding Behavior 8 Census t~ethods 8 Food Preferences 9 Taxonomy 9 Habitat 10 THE STUDY AREA ll

I~ETHODS AND PROCEDURES 16 Selection of Sampling Areas 16 Sea rch Techniques . . . 20 Selection and Measurement of Variables 21 Statistical Analysis 22 RESULTS 24 DISCUSSION 28

RECOMt~ENDATI ONS 32 SUMMARY 34 LITERATURE CITED 36 APPENDIXES 43 Appendix A. List of Variables Measured for All Sampling Areas Searched for Blue Grouse 44 LIST OF TABL ES

Table Page l . Analysis of categories which were significant at alpha 0.20 25 . . . ..

LI ST OF FIG URES

Figure Page 1. Original distribution of blue grouse (Dendragapus obsaurus! subspecies 2 2. Location of stu.dy area relative to the state of Utah 12 3. Portion of study area depicting typical topography 13 4. Portion of study area depicting typical topography 14

5. An inclined sampling area 17

6. A draw sampling area 18 7. Examples of conditions under which a topographic type was divided into more than one sampling area. Dotted lines separate individual sampling areas 19 ABSTRACT Spring and Summer Habitat Preferences of Blue Grouse on the Bear River Range, Utah

Robert M. Maestro, Master of Science Utah State University, 1970 Major Professor: Dr. Jessop B. Low Department: Wildlife Resources A study of the spring and summer habitat preferences of blue grouse was conducted on the Bear River Range in northern Utah. The ma in objective was to determine the important factors associated with habitat selection by blue grouse during the breeding season. One hundred and two sampling areas, delimited by similarities in vegetation and topography, were thoroughly searched with a dog for blue grouse. Fifty-four bio logical and physical variables were measured for each sampling area. Chi-square tests performed on all variables showed 11 of the 54 variables to be significant at an alpha of 0.20. These 11 variables (listed below) were considered to be the important factors influencing habitat selection by blue grouse. (1) search area type (2) area exposure (3) elevation (4) percent forested (5) understory density (6) primary cover species (7) secondary cover species (8) percent cover maples (Aoer grandidentatum) (9) percent cover mixed brush (10) percent cover sagebrush (Artemisi a t ridentataJ (ll) total acres The chi -square test only determined if a variab le significantly effected habitat selection by blue grouse. To determine whether this effect was positive or negative, the percent occurrence of areas on which blue grouse were present, or absent, was determined. Results indicated that the most favorable blue grouse habitat was draws at 5,500-6.499 feet elevation. This favorable habitat contained l-10 percent cover by map l es, or a higher percent of maple which provided a l arge amount of edge effect; the presence of mixed brush or sage brush, a medium understory, and an area incline of 5-19 percent. (65 pages) INTRODUCTION

Blue grouse (Dendragapus obsaurus ) were first discovered by Say in 1820, and classified by him as Tetrao obsaurus (James, 1823). Since their discovery, blue grouse have undergone many name changes. Original names, reference to original descriptions, and present names for each subspecies were given in the A.O.U. Check-List of North American Birds (American Ornithologist's Union Committee, 1957). Blue grouse are members of the family Tetraonidae (grou se and ptarmigans), within the order Galliformes (gallinaceous birds), of the superorder Neognathae (typical birds) within the subclass Neornithes (true birds), all of which comes under the class Aves (birds) (American Ornithologist's Union Committee, 1957). Eight subspecies of blue grouse are recognized: D. o. obaaurus / (Dusky grouse), D. o. riahardaonii (Richardson's grouse), D. o. fuliginosus (Oregon grouse), D. o. sitkenais (Sitka grouse), D. o. / / aierrae (Sierra grouse), D. o. howard~ (Mount Pinos grouse), and D. o. orein~ (Great Basin grouse), (Aldrich, 1963). Blue grouse are found in the western portions of Canada and the United States. Populations extent southward to the southern half of New Mexico, northward into the Yukon, and eastward from the west coast to the eastern portion of Colorado (Figure 1). D. o. oreinus, D. o. obaaurua, and D. o. pallidus may possibly be found in Utah (Figure 1). The species present on the study area was be 1i eved to be D. o. obsaurus (Stanford, 1932; Lee, 1936; Behle, 1944; and Aldrich, 1963). 2

Dusky ( obscuru s)

Richordsons(rlchordson'l)'

Swo r th' s(pollidus) I

Oregon (f u I'•g•nosus) .

Si t ko(sltk en SIS).

Sierra( s•erroe).

Mount PI nos(howordi)

Great 8 osln (ore'•nus)

II '

' ----- ,---- ' I I ' -. .!_ I 1 --·' '· : ; '- :' -- j_ -,1__• 1: ',·. ) ;I .·h ·- ~~'/ I I Ijll I;---.:;------1 ·;.... ---- ...r~------.t-:_-:_ ·. 1-_./ '. 1 '-. I'' I ' i__-.... .' ,L--,----~-:_~--, ' / --_.--;----'• - - --. ""LI !' : I\ ' ·• Odg;oold . --- ' ' ' s obscurus) sub spec1es.. Figure 1. F'om Aldrich"""""'" (1963)o · f blue grouse (De n d ragapu ; '' ' 3

Objectives

Klyver and Tinbergen (1953, p274) working with titmice, stated that, "in principle, density at a certain locality is determined by three main processes: reproduction, mortal1ty and habitat selection (in a broad sense)." Since habitat is the easiest of these factors to manage, it seems logical that management of blue grouse should head in this direction. It therefore appeared appropriate for initial research on blue grouse in Utah to be directed toward the determination of habitat requirements. The main purpose of this study was to g1ve proper d1rection for furture habitat studies on blue grouse in Utah. The second purpose was to give sufficient background information for other phases of blue grouse research. This information is given in an enlarge literature review. Objectives of this study were (l) to determine the important factors associated with habitat selection by blue grouse during spring and summer, and (2) to prepare recommendations for future blue grouse research in Utah. Blue grouse occupy two completely different types of habitat during the year. During late fall and winter, the grouse occupy coni ferous areas at high elevations. As spr1ng approaches, the birds move to the lower elevations of the footh1lls for the breed1ng season, and remain there until the chicks are near maturity in late summer (Anthony, 1903; Munro, 1919; Caswell, l954a; Mussehl, 1960; and others). The breeding season habitat was selected for the study due to the greater population regulation and management impl1 cations associated with it. 4

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

General

Bendell and Elliott (l966a) presented i nformation on most aspects of blue grouse research. Bent (1932) discussed the life histories of most of the subspecies. Blackford (1958 and 1963) presented a life history study of D. o . Pic h ~dson~• · Schottelius {1951) presented infor mation on D. o. paZZidus, and Bendel! {1954) discussed the life history of D. o . fuZiginosus. Bauer {1962) presented information on the ecology of blue grouse in Washington. For general articles on D. o. obscurus, see Caswell {l954a), Heebner (19 56), Steinhoff (1956), and Mussehl (1960). A re l atively thorough account of D. o. obscurus in Colorado has been compiled by Rogers (1968). Aside from Nygren (1962), no published studies were found on blue grouse in Utah . Harvest information on blue grouse in Utah is given by Utah State Division of Fish and Game {1969) . A comparison of life histories of blue grouse with other game birds was given by Bent (1932) and Edminister (1954).

Migrcttion

Bendel l (1954 and l955a) reported that migrat1on of males to higher elevations during late surrmer and fall co1ncided with cessation of breeding activity . They bel1eved that the migration of hens and yo un g followed the altitudinal maturation of plant foods. Bendell also reported that most yearling males do not breed and do not migrate 5 from the winter range the first spring after hatchinq, and that this was correlated with a lack of gonadal development. Anthony (1903), Munro (1919), Lincoln (1920), Brooks (1926), Wing (1947), Caswell (1954a), Heebner (1956), Mussehl (1960), Blackford (1963), and others, have also described the process of migration. Fall brood migration was described by Wing, Beer, and Tidyman (1944). Zwickel, Buss and Brigham (196B) measured fall migration distances of blue grouse in Vancouver, British Columbia. Fifty percent of their tagged birds were recovered over 5 m1les from the breeding range. Roger's (1968) measurements in Colorado indicated movement no further than 1 ,000-3,000 feet.

Capture and Tagging Techniques

Zwickel and Bendell (1967) used a snare on the end of a telescoping aluminum pole to capture blue grouse. Most researchers believe this to be the most efficient method for capture of adults. Mussehl (1960) used a 30-36 inch diameter hoop net on a 9-10 foot handle. This method appeared to be best suited for brood capture . Anderson and Hamerstrom (1967) used a prairie chicken stuffed in the precoupulatory position to lure male prairie chickens to a bow net or noose carpet. During the thesis research, thi s same method \vas used, substituting a stuffed fema le blue grouse, a snaring pole , and taped femal e mating ca ll s. Tomlinson (1963) developed a method for dr1ve trappinq female blue grouse and their broods. Drewien, et al. {1967) developed a back-packing, night- lighting outfit for capturing ducks and pheasants . Such a unit might be suitable for captur1ng blue grouse in areas easily accessible at night. Humphrey, Bridge and Love joy (1968) have 6 developed a one man , portable mi st-nettinq system for capture of birds at heights of at least 30 meters . This method may be successful wi th blue grouse due to the ir habit of soaring down the mid dl e of a draw at heights below 30 meters when flushed. The tagging method of Labisky and Mann (1962) has been successful on up l and game birds. Re ctan gular, plastic co lored tags were pinned to the back of the neck with safety pi ns. This method was used success fully by Philips (1965) on ruffed grouse in northern Utah, an d co uld easily be used with blue grouse. Pyrah (1964) used t he same type of material as Lab isky and Mann, but with a hole in the center. This was placed over the head of the bird, and the neck feathers resisted mov ement over the head . Many upland game bird researchers prefer the tagging method of Pyrah over that of Labi sky and Mann. Dyeing plumage with Rhodamine B, Auramine, Methyl Vio let, or Vi ctoria Green saturated in 95 percent ethanol was a successful marking met hod with ruffed grouse (G ull ion, Eng and Kupa, 1961 ). Bendell (1954 ) use d Christmas ornament balls filled with lacquer which were thrown at b1 ue gro use .

Sexing and Aging Techniques

Sexing of blue grouse is easy with the bird in hand . Th e si de of the neck is stroked upward, and a flash of white is evidence of a male (Ca swe ll, 1954b ; Boag, 1965) . Musseh l and Leik (1963) compared lengths of the 6th , 8th , and l Oth primaries for determination of sex. Di stinction between j uven ile and adults was determi ned by van Ros sem (1925) using outer retrices , and by Boag (196 5) who used retricies and outer primar1es. Boaq tound we1ght to be unrel1ab le as an aging techm que . Ben de 11 ( 1955a and 1955b) a 1so described aging techniques. Many of the techn1q ues descr1bed by Petri des (1942) for aging American gall1naceous game b1rds may be useful 1n aging blue grouse. Smith and Buss (1963) were able to separate ,Juveni le blue grouse into weekly age ca tegories using growth rates and molt characterist1cs. Zwickel and Lance (1966) modified the method of Smith and Buss, mak1ng week ly age determination eas1er and more accurate.

Parasites and Disea se

Mitchell and Bigland (1960 ) found larval forms of PhysaLoptera sp.

(a nematode of the digesti ve tract) encys ted in the breast of D. o. fuZiginosus from three western states for external and internal paras1tes. Names and numbers of parasites were give n. Buss, Conrad, and Reilly (1958) found ulcerative enterit1s in ca ptive blue grouse.

Pest1 cides

Hoffmann, Janson, and Hartkorn (1958) tound no adverse effects on blue grouse w1th application of DDT at 1 pound per acre. Mussehl and Finley (1967) also applied DDT at l/2 pound per acre . A signifl cant negative effect on survival or product1vity was not shown. Finley (1965) compared bird activity before and after application of phosphamidon at the rate of pound per acre. He found a de crease in activity on sprayed plots and an 1n crease on unsprayed plots . 8 Breed1ng Behavior

Bent (1932) gave one of the most thorough accounts of the breeding behavior of most of the subspecies of blue grouse. Other good accounts of breeding behavior were found in Wing (1946), Bendell (l955a), Hoffmann (1956), Blackford (1958 and 1963), and Rogers (l9fi.8). Specific informa tion on nesting and renesting was found in Pemberton (1928) and Zwickel and Lance (1965). Blackford (1963) went into much detail about blue grouse vocali zations and their relation to communication. Vocalization in re l ation to breeding behavior was also described by Edson (1925), Brooks (1926), Stewart (1967), and Rogers (1968). Breeding age was discussed by Buss and Schottelius (1954), and breeding phenology by Boag (1965). Ma l e display postures were illustrated by Brooks (1926), Bendell and Elliott (l966a), and Rogers (1968). Bendell and Elliott (l966a) found that males returned to almost exactly the same territory each year, as shown by their maps illustrating the territorial boundaries of males for consecutive years.

Census Methods

Rogers (1963:579), in surveying all census techniques for blue grouse, found that "blue grouse census studies range from none at all to complicated procedures 1nvolving almost year-round effort." A cens us method utilizing recorded female mating calls was developed by Stirling and Bendell (1966) . The call el1cited response from males . 9

These authors also used tape re cordings of chick distress calls for response from females. Hoffmann (1956) attempted cen sus by counting displaying males in the spring and anal yzing roost sites in the winter.

Food Preferences

Food habits of blue grouse have been studied by Bendire (1889), Munro (1919) , Fowle (1944), Stewart (1944), Marshall (1946), Hoffmann (1961), Boag (1963) and Rogers (1968). Curtis and Elder (1965), studied the effects of blue grouse feeding on ponderosa pine (Pinus Ponderosa ) seedlings. Lawrence, Kverno, and Hartwell (1961) have compiled a guide which enables one to identify damage by blue grouse to Douglas fi r (Pseudotsuga menziesii ). Lacher and Lacher (1965) successfully raised blue grouse in captivity for 5 years. They started the bi rds on natural foods and eventually maintained them on commercial feeds .

Ta xonomy

Ridgeway and Friedman (1 946) presented the most detailed account of taxonomy of blue grouse. They gave thorough descriptions of subspecies, listed synonyms, and li sted references which made mention of each synonym . The authors also included a key for separation of subspecies . They recognized all subspecies except D. o. orienus, which was subsequently described by Behle and Selander (1951 ). Additional information on the taxonomy of blue grouse was given by Brooks (1926) , Swarth (1926 and 1931), and Hoffmann (1956). 10 Moffitt (1938) descr1bed the downy young for s1x of the eight subspecies and included a color plate .

Many workers have described the breed1ng habitat of blue grouse. Boag (1958) descri bed habitat use 1n Alberta, Can ada. Heebner (1956) discussed habitat selection of blue grouse in Idaho. Many workers have described habitat selection for blue grouse in British Columbia, Canada. Among these are Munro and Cowan (1947), Bendell (1954) Fowle (1960), and Zwickel (1965). Jewett et al. ( 1953) described habitat selection of blue grouse in the state of Washington . Hoffmann (1956) described the habitat utilized by blue grouse in California, and Rogers (1968) di scussed habitat selection in Colorado. Caswell (1954a) presented a chart depicting monthly use of cover by blue grouse in west central Idaho. Other researchers have also given descript1ons of habitat used by breeding blue grouse--Bendire (1889), Bent (1932), Beer (1943), Wing, Beer and Tidyman (1944), Caswell (1954a), and Aldrich (1963). One of the few studies on blue grouse hab1tat for all seasons was given by Marshall (1946). 11

THE STUDY AREA

The study area (Figure 2) was within the Bear River Range which extends 1n a north-south d1rect1on, torm1ng t he eastern boundary of Cache Valley, Cache County, Utah . The Bear R1ver Range merges w1th the Wasatch Range at the southern end of the Valley . This area was chosen because it appeared to conta1n a good concentrat1on of blue grouse. Information on concentrations of blue grouse in th1s area was obtained from reports by the U. S. Forest Serv1ce and the Utah D1vision of F1sh and Game. The region below heavily timbered areas was rugged and steep, w1th many slopes rising 2,000 feet in l m1le. Areas w1th1n timbered areas were l ess steep and ru~9ed (Figures 3 and 4). Nygre n (1963) divided vegetation in the area into two bas1cally different types, separated by an arbitar,v 7,500 foot elevat1on line . Nygren (1963, p 4-5) gives the fa 11 o~1i ng description: Above 7500-foot alt1tudes shaded north-fac1ng slopes were primarily of alpine f1r, Douglas-fir, and occasionally l1mber pine and wh1te fir. Quak1ng aspen was found on mo1st canyon floors and some no rth-fac1ng slopes . South-fac1ng slopes above 7500-foot alt1tudes occasionally contained Douglas-f1r and quak1ng aspen, but usually contained Utah juniper and some bigtooth maple, curleaf mountain-mahogany, l1mber pine and Rocky Mounta1n Juniper. Clearings and ridges usually conta1ned black sagebrush, snowbrush, and occas1onally beardless bluebunch wheatgrass . Below 7500-foot altitudes vegetat1on may be further classified as to north- fac1ng or south-facing slopes. In general vegetat1on was more dense on north-facing than south-facing slopes . Dense growths of big-tooth maple or true mountain mahogany occurred on some north-facing slopes. In canyon floors, boxelder, choc kcherry, narrowleaf cottonwood, skunkbrush sumac, water birch, and willows were common. 12

Figure 2. Location of study area relative to the state of Utah. 13

Figure 3. Portion of study area depicting typ i ca l topography . 14

Figure 4. Portion of study area depicting typical topography 15

South -facing slopes were generally of two maJor types: (1) juniper/sagebrush/cheatgrass, or (2) maple/sagebrush/bunchgrass-cheatgrass. Nygren (1963, p 4-5) Notation of the common and scientific names of vegetation on the study area are given in Appendi x D. 16

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Selection of Sampling Areas

Once male blue grouse establish their territories on the breeding range their activities are restricted to an area of 1-2 acres (Bendell, 1955a; Blackford , 1958 and 1963) until the fall migration begins. It appeared from field observations that the area in which both males and females were restricted corresponded well with the boundaries of a topographic feature, such as a draw, and/or a spec1fic type of plant comm unity. The importance of the plant community was also expressed by Seiskari (19 62). He no ted that most of the important environmental fa cto rs in the breeding habitat were related to the pl ant comm unity, or, were dependent upon it. Therefore, the selection of sampling was based on plant communities and topography. There were basically four differen t types of topography, and consequently four types of sampling areas: draws, incl ines, flats, and ridge tops (Appendix C)(Figures 5 and 6) . The boundaries of a sampl1ng area were first determined by topo graphy (e ither a draw, i ncl1ne, flat or r1 dge top), and secondly by pl an t comm unities . If one type of plant community occupied the topo grap hic type, the entire topographic type was cons idered as one sampling area. One topographic type was divided into more than one sampling area only if there was more than one plant community present (F i gure 7) . Differences i n plant communities were determined at the brush, shrub, and tree level s only 17

Figure 5. An incl ined sampling area. 18

Figure 6. A draw sampling area. 19

I I \ \ I ;I I I I \ I I I ( Douglas fir 11aple I and I \ I t1aple i 11ountai n \ I /I mahogany I / I \ I I JllJ I An inclined area divided into three sampling areas

\ \

' <:a;e:r:- and bitterbrush \ / \ / t1aple / , \ \

A draw divided 1nto three sampling areas Figure 7. Examples of conditions under which a topographic type was divided into more than one sampling area. Dotted lines separate individual sampl1ng areas. 20

Search Techn1gues

Once the boundaries of the sampl1ng area were determined, the sampling area was searched by walkinq or rid1ng (on horseback) transects with a black Labrador retr1ever The same dog was used on al l samp ling areas. Search was begun at a boundary of the sampl1ng area, and a stra1ght l1ne of sight transect was followed to the opposite boundary . The next transect was followed back to the boundary from which search1ng began . The distance between t ransects var1ed, depend1ng on the width of area covered by the dog, so that all transects overlapped . Transects were run over the entire sampl1ng area unt1l a blue grouse was flushed. When one blue grouse was flushed, search ot that sampl1ng area was discontinued, and the sampl1ng area was class1fied as one 1n which blue grouse were present . If the entire sampl1ng area was searched with no blue grouse be1ng flushed, 1t was classified as a sampling area 1n which blue grouse were absent. Within the study area, 102 sampl1ng areas (composed of draws, 1ncl1nes, flats, or ri dge tops) were searched for blue grouse· Sampl1ng areas were chosen select1vely w1th1n the study area to 1nsure a sampling of as many different types of hab1tat as poss1ble . Search of relatively s1m1lar sampl1ng areas and elevat1ons was distrlbuted evenly throughout the t1me the study was conducted. Dates for in1tial occupation of the breed1ng range by blue grouse, and dates for 1n1t1ation of fall migrat10n vary regiona·lly (Anthony, 1903; Marshall, 1946; Wing, 1947; Caswell, 1954a; Bendell, 1955a; and Mussehl, 1960) . Dates from the above references along w1th personal 21 observations dur1ng 1968 and 1969 were used as a gu1de in determining the in it1ation and durat1on ot search1ng operations. Samplinq areas were searched from May 17 to July 25, 1969. Once established on the breed1ng range, blue grouse act1vity 1s concentrated 1n the early morn1ng and late afternoon (Caswell, 1954a; and Bende ll, 1955a) . Bendell ( l955a), reported that these activlty per1ods were regulated by l1ght 1ntens1ty . The lengths of morning and afternoon act1v1ty per1ods were determ1ned from hoot1ng counts, and all search1ng was performed between these two per1ods.

Selection and Measurement of Variables

F1fty-four var1ables(Appendix A) express ing differences in biolog1cal and physical character1stics of the environment, were measured for each sampling area. Selection of var1ables was determined from observat1ons by the author dur1ng 1968, and from reports of other researchers, such as Munro (1919), Caswell (1954a), Mussehl {1960), and Zwickel, Buss and Bngham (1968). All incline measurements were taken w1th an Abney level . The average of several measurements was taken to decrease error . Measurement of many var1ables was taken from 1963 U.S. Forest Service aerial photographs. All photographs were scaled 1:15,840 at the datum plane. Most sampling areas were above the datum plane, therefore all measurements from photographs (except for total acres) were taken in large enough 1ntervals to encompass changes in scale. This was shown in test plots w1th changes in photographic scale up 1/2 inch. Wilson (1949) and Moessner (1957) reported that when using 22 effec tlVe areas of contact aen a 1 photographs, no b1 as 1n measurement results when local relief ranges from 500- 1,000 teet. Only effect1ve areas on contact aerial photographs were used 1n this study. Before field data collect1on began, al l var1ables were sub-div1ded 1nto categor1es, examples of wh1 ch tallows:

Van able Ca tegon es sampl1ng area type draw; 1nc11ne; flat ; r1dge top locat1on--townsh1p actual area exposure N; S; E; W; NE; NW; SE; SW area percent incl1ne 0-5%; 6-10%; ll-20 l ; 21-30%; 31 - 40 %; 41-50%; 51 -60%; 61-70 %; 71-80%; 81 -90%; over 90 % The recorded measurement of each var1a ble was selected from one of the pre-established categor1es of that va ri able.

Stat1st1cal Analysis

All data were coded and placed on !.B . M. cards . The data were then summar1zed ut1l1z1ng a _o mputerlzed quest program. Summat1ons for each var1able were placed 1n co nt1ngency tables (an example of wh1ch lS g1ven below) . Sampl1ng areas on wh1ch blue grouse were present (he re by referred to as "present" areas) were compared with samp ling areas on wh 1eh blue grouse were absent (hereby referred to as "absent" areas) for all categori es of every var1able. Each category 1n whi ch the number of observat1ons for "present" and "absent" areas totaled two or less were dl scarded. 23

Variable Category draw -----incline flat --hill ridge top Sampling Number of area "present" areas 30 8 3 type Number of 9 31 8 0 6 "absent" areas

A chi -square test for independency was performed on each category (each pair of cells). A pair of cells was eliminated if one cell of the pair had an expected value of less than three (Ostle, 1963). A chi-square value was also obtained for the variable by summ i ng the chi square values obtained from the cell pairs of that variable. The chi -square test only determined if a category had a signifi cant effect on habitat selection by bl ue grouse. To determi ne whether this was a positive or negative effect, the percent occurrence of "present" areas and "absent" areas were determined for each category. Percents were calculated by dividing the total number of category observati ons into the number of observations for "present" areas, and for "absent" areas. A positive effect was attributed to a category if the percent occurrence of "present" areas was higher than "absent" areas, and vise versa . The degree of effectiveness was indicated by the amount of difference between the two percents. 24

RESULTS

Variables and categories which were considered to be important in influencing habitat selection by blue grouse were determined by their leve l of sign ificance. An arbitrary alpha level of 0.20 was selected for disti nguishing important categories and variables (Table 1). Eleven variables were significant at alpha levels from 0.20-0.0005. These

variables are listed belo~1.

(1) search area type (2) area exposure (3} elevation (4) percent forested (5) understory density (6) primary cover species (7) secondary cover species

(8) percent cover maples (Acer grandidentatum) (9) percent cover mixed brush

(10) percent cover sagebrush fArtemisia tridentata) (11) total acres

It should be noted that 10 of the 11 variables given above were significant at an alpha of 0.05. Total ac res was sign1ficant at an alpha level of 0.20. Total acres therefore may not have been as im portant as the other ten variables . Seve nteen categories, indi cating a positive effect for hab itat selection by blue gro us e, t-te re signifi cant at an al pha of O.?n (Talle 1) . Table 1. Analysis of categories which were significant at alpha 0.20

Significance Number of Observat ions Percent Occurrence Percent Variable Categories level a "present" "absent 11 11 present" "absent" difference areas areas areas areas search area draws 0.0005 30 9 77 23 54 +b c t ype inclines 0 .005 8 31 21 79 58 - ridge tops 0 . 20 1 6 14 86 72 - general NE 0.025 0 7 00 100 100 - exposure SE 0 . 10 1 9 10 90 80 -

"(north)"d dense 0 .0005 0 14 00 100 100 - slope under- med1.um 0 .05 30 19 61 39 22 + story density mean eleva- 6 , 000- 6 , 499 0 . 05 13 6 68 32 36 + tion in in- 5,500- 5,999 0 . 20 17 11 61 39 22 + t ervals of 6,500-6,999 0 . 20 5 12 29 71 42 - 100 foot 8, 000- 8, 499 0 . 20 1 5 17 83 66 -

"(north)" aspen 0 .025 0 7 00 100 100 - slope pri- mixed brush 0.025 6 1 8\ 14 92 + mary cover maple 0 .05 20 13 61 39 22 + species

"(north)" mixed brush 0.05 1 7 13 87 74 - slope sage 0.20 16 9 64 36 28 + secondary maple 0 . 20 13 9 59 51 08 + cover chokecherry 0.20 N 1 5 17 83 66 - Ul species Douglas fir 0.20 1 5 17 83 66 - Table 1. Continued

Variable Categories Significance Nu mber of Observations Percent Occurrence level Percent "present" "absent" "present" 11 absent" difference areas areas areas areas "(north)" 41-50 percent 0.05 7 2 78 22 56 + slope per- 0 percent 0.10 1 9 10 90 80 - cent forested 6-10 percent 0.10 8 3 73 27 46 + 31 - 40 percent 0 . 20 6 4 60 40 20 + 11 (north) " 0 percent 0.005 6 35 19 81 62 - slope percent 41-50 percent 0.025 6 1 84 16 68 + cover maples 1- 5 percent 0.10 8 4 67 34 33 + 6-10 percent 0.20 6 4 60 40 20 + "(north)" 0 percent 0 . 10 3 39 07 93 86 - slope percent cover mixed brush ''(north)" 0 percent 0 .025 1 10 09 91 82 - slope percent cover sage total less than 0.10 13 32 29 71 42 - acres 10 acres area percent 5- 9 percent 0 . 20 9 5 64 46 18 + incline "nortH' slope 5- 9 percent 0.025 9 1 90 10 80 + percent in- 10- 19 percent 0.20 8 2 80 20 60 + cline

N "(north)" slope mixed brush 0.20 1 5 17 83 66 - teriary cover "' species 8 in decreasing order of significance, bpositive effect on habitat selection by blue grouse c negative effect on habitat selection by blue gr~use , dsee (Appendix A) 27

Among these "dra\'/s" expressed the highest level of s1gmficance with an alpha value of 0.0005. The next h1 gh est level of significance was shown equally by "mixed brush as a primary cover specie!', "5-9 percent incli ne of north slope", and "41 -50 percent cover by maples " (Acer grandidentacum ). All three were significant at an alpha level of 0.025. There were also 17 categories, s1gnificant at an al pha va lu e of 0.20 which i nd icated a negative effect for hab i tat selection (Table 1). The highest level of significance was expressed by "dense understory" at an alpha va l ue of 0.0005. The ne xt h1ghest level of significance was shown eq ually by "inclines" and "0 percent cover by maples." 28

DISCUSSION

It is difficult to compare results of this study to other habitat studies on blue grouse because the vegetation and topography of other study areas vary in differing degrees. Bendell and Elliott (l966b) discussed blue grouse habitat selection on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. They found that blue grouse preferred "open" vegetation over "dense" vegetation . Vegetation on the study area of Vancouver Isl and was composed mainly of coniferous forests in varying densitites. The open areas consisted of burns, and much of the habitat was composed of stumps and logs. The breeding range in northern Utah, coversely, co ns isted of relatively open vegetation with practically no burns, stumps, or logs . Mussehl (1963) studied habitat in relation to brood cover in Montana. He found that the herbaceous cover used by broods expressed relatively consistant physical characteristics of he1ght, canopy cover, and plant interspersion. The herbaceous cover cons1sted mainly of nat1ve bunch grasses and associated forbs. It appeared that this same type of vegetation also existed in northern Utah .

Mussell] ( 1968) be 1i eved that it was the phys i ca 1 characteristics of the herbaceous cover, rather than the specific pl ant species that was important. The herbaceous cover present in Montana does not occur on Vancouver Island, where a good population of blue grouse occurs, but other types of vegetation such as ferns use t he same physical characteristics (Mussehl, 1968). Bende ll an d 29

Elliott (1966b) likewise stated that the logs and stumps on their summer range study area may have approximated the physical characteristics of sagebrush (A r temisia sp. J . This same logic applies to maples as an important habitat factor. It appears that maples are important for adult blue grouse in northern Utah . Blue grouse are present in many regions where maples are absent, but other vegetation is present which approximates the physical character istics of maples. This was also supported by Pitelka (1941) and Harris (1952). They have indicated that habitat selection may be related to the physical structure of the dominant vegetation, rather than the species composition. Habitat selection by blue grouse may not be conditioned by early experience . Wecker (1963) showed that prai r ie and forest races of Michigan deer mice (Peromy scus manicuZatusJ had an innate response to habitat, and that this response could not be reversed by early experience. Bendell and Elliott (1966b) found this to be true with blue grouse. Chicks born in dense vegetation selected open habitat when adult. Bendell and Elliott (1966, p443) further stated that: The selection of paririe-like habitat as breeding range by blue grouse is partly explained by their possible evolution from prairie-dwelling precursors . Blue grouse may be placed close to the Sage Grouse (Centrocercus) , Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus) , and Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pedioecetes) on the basis of secondary sexual characteristics, breeding behaviour, and other features of their biology. The use of prairie or prairie-like hab1tat as breeding range by the four genera adds to their similarity. Acceptance or reJection of a hypothesis does not mea n that the hypothesis has been proved or disproved (Ostle, 1963). Some of the 11 variables wh i ch show significance at an alpha of 0.20 or better, and 30

particularly significant categories within these variables, contain low numbers of observations. Some categories have as few as six total observations (Table 1). It can therefore be assumed that such categories or variables may be important influences in habitat selection of blue grouse. Statistically significant results may be misleadi ng at times. The 31-40 and 41-50 percent categories under "'(north )' slope percent forested" indicate significance for a positive effect on habitat selection by blue grouse (Table 1) . From field observations it was noticed that those habitat types which were 31-40 and 41-50 percent forested contained large amounts of edge effect. It is believed that it was the edge effect, rather than the amount of area forested, that positively effected habitat selection by blue grouse. Likewise, if the 31-40 and 41-50 percent forested area was continuous . with little edge effect, it would most likely have negatively affected habitat selection by blue grouse. The same ap plies for those habitat types which contained 41-50 percent cover by maples (Table 1). Maples as a primary cover species was a more important influence on habitat selection than indicated in Table 1. From field observations, it was observed that maples in low percen~ of cover (1-10 percent) was the most important factor in determining presence of blue grouse. Higher percentages of cover by maples were also important if the cover had a lar~e amount of edge effect. However, most sampling areas in the Bear River Range (particularly draws, which were shown to be the most signifl cant sampling area type) did not contain large amounts of maple . The importance of maples is also expressed in the variable '"(north)' 31 slope percent cover maples" within the category 0 percent (Table 1). Complete absence of maples (43 observati ons) is significant at alpha 0.005 for negatively effecting habitat selection by blue grouse (Table 1) . Mixed brush as a primary cover species is shown to be significant at alpha 0.025 for having a positive effect on habitat selection by blue

grouse (Table 1) . However, this importance is not as great as it appears. Most sampling areas which contained maples also contained a higher percent of mixed brush. Therefore, it was almost impossible for blue grouse to "select" areas which did not have more mixed brush than maples. This relationship is also evident in the variable "'(north) ' slope secondary cover species" in which mixed brush is signif1cant at alpha of 0.05 for having a negative effect on habitat selection by blue grouse. If mixed brush was the primary cover species for those areas in which blue grouse were present, it would log ical ly prove significant for the absence of blue grouse in these same areas when measured as a secondary

cover species. 32

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The same study area shou ld be utilized in future studies of the eleven variables found to be important in this study. 2. Research on the eleven important variables should be so con ducted to show relationships among them. 3. The influence of maple on habitat selection by blue grouse shou ld be investigated in more detail. Minor thinning of dense stands of maple may be advantageous to blue grouse during the breeding season. 4. Since wyethia and the associated forbs appear to be extremely important for brood raising, research should be undertaken on spraying and other practices which may alter this habitat com ponent. 5. A tagging program should be begun to obtain knowledge of the migration patterns of blue grouse in northern Utah. This in formation would be of benefit in the formulation of habitat management programs. 6. A census method for blue grouse would be a valuable tool for population management. The author has found that during the peak of the breeding season, a "wing rip" or "wing flutter" by one male usually set-off a chain reaction of "wing rips" by all other males in the area. The duration of time between "wing rips" of an individual male is typically long enough that the second "wing rip" does not occur until other males in the area have similarly responded. Although this method would not measure 33

absolute numbers of blue grouse, it could be used as an index to population density. 7. Further habitat studies should be conducted on the breeding range because it appears that population limitation factors are in affect here rather than on the winter range. 8. The affect of livestock grazing on blue grouse breeding habitat should be investigated. SUMMARY

A study of the spring and summer habitat preferences of blue grouse was conducted 1n 1968 and 1969 on the Bear River Range in northern Utah. The objectives were (1) to determine the important factors associated with hab1tat select1on by blue grouse during spring and summer, and, (2) to prepare recommendations for further blue grouse research in Utah .

One-hundred and two sampling areas, del1m ited by s1milarities in vegetation and topography, were thoroughly searched w1th a dog for blue grouse. Search of a sampl1ng area was d1scontinued after locating one blue grouse, and the sampling area was class1fied as one in which blue grouse were present. Fifty-four biological and phys1cal variables were measured for each samp l1ng area. Data were summer1zed ut1l iz1ng a computerized quest program and summations of observations for each category of every variable were calculated. These su1mned data were organ1zed in cont1ngency tables for applicat1on of 1ndependen cy ch1 -square tests. Ch1-square tests performed on var1ab!es and on 1ndiv1dual categor1es of variables showed 11 of the 54 var1ables to be significant at a alpha of 0.20. These 11 var1ables l1sted below were considered to be the 1mportant factors 1nfluenc1ng hab1tat selection by blue grouse. (I) search area type (2) area exposure (3) elevation (4) percent forested 35

(5) understory den s1ty (6) primary cover spec1es (7) secondary cover species

(8) percent cover maples (9) percent cover m1xed brush (10) percent cover sagebrush (11) total acres The chi-square test only determined if a category significantly effected habitat selection by blue grouse. To determine whether this effect was posit1ve or negative the percent occurrence of areas on which blue grouse were present, or absent, were determined. Results indicated that the most favorable blue grouse habitat was draws at 5,500-6,499 feet elevation. This favorable hab1tat contained 1-10 percent cover by maples, or a higher percent of maple which provided a large amount of edge effect; the presence of m1xed brush or sage brush, a medium understory, and an area incline of 5-19 percent. Recommendations were made for further research on blue grouse breeding habitat, development of a census method, the affect of grazing, the importance of maples, the affect of wyethia spraying, and seasonal movement. 36

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APPENDIXES 44

Appendl x A List of Variables Measured for all Sampling Areas Searched for Blue Grouse

(1) date

(2) time

( 3) location--township (4) location--range (5) location--section (6) sampling area type

(7) mean elevation in intervals of 500 feet

(8) area exposure

(9) slope exposures

(1 0) area perce nt 1n cli ne

(11) "north" s lope percent 1ncline

(12) 11 South 11 slope percent 1ncl ine (13) draw length

( 14) 11 north .. slope average height

(15) 11 SOuth" slope average he1ght

(16) slope top d1stance

( 17) presence of blue grouse

(18) "(north)"a slope pnmary cover species a Since many of the sampl1ng areas were draws many variables were measured for both slopes. All draws did not have slopes with north and south exposures as indicated by quotat1on marks. If a sampli ng area was· not a draw,me asurements were recorded under the "(north)" slope . .. heading, and 0 was recorded under the "south" slope ... heading, as i ndi cated by the pa rentheses . "(North)" slope ... represented north, northeast, northwest , and east fac1ng slopes. "South" slope ... represented south, southeast, southwest, and west fac1ng slopes. In order to el1mate confusion on the part of the reader, the prefixes "( no rth)" slope ... and "south" slope ... were deleted from the text. 45

(19) "(north)" slope secondary cover spe cies (20) "(north)" slope tertiary cover species (21) "south" slope primary cover species (22) "south" slope secondary cover species (23) "south" slope tertiary cover spec 1es ( 24) " (north)" s 1ope understory density (25) "south" slope understory dens1ty (26) "(north)" slope percent cover exposed rock (27) "south" slope percent cover exposed rock

(28) tota 1 acres (29) "(north)" slope percent forested (30) "south" slope percent forested

(31) "(north)" slope pe rcent cover maple (Aaer grandidentatwn! (32) "south" slope percent cover maple (Aaer gmndidentatwn) (33) "(nor th)" slope percent cover mountain mahogany (Ceraoaarpus sp. J (34) "south" slope percent cover mountain mahogany Ceraoaarpus sp. J (35) "(north)" slope percent cover chokecherry (Pl>unus virginiana) (36) "south" slope percent cover chokecherry (Pl"unus virginiana!

(37) "(north) " slope percent co ver jun1per (Juniperus sp. J (38) "south" slope percent cover JUniper (Juniperus sp. J (39) "(north)" slope percent cover Douglas fir !Pseudotsuga menzies1-i! (40) "south" slope percent cover Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii!

(41) "(north)" slope percent cover alp1ne fir !Ab1-es lasioaarpa ) (42) "south" slope percent cover alpine fir (Ames lasioaarpa!

(43) "(north)" slope percent cover pine (Pinus sp. J (44) "south" slope percent cover p1ne (Pinus sp. J (45) "(north)" slope percent cover aspen (PopuLus tremuLoides) ... 46

(46) "south" slope percent co ver aspen IPopuLuc il'emuloidesJ (47) "(north)" slope percent cover serviceberry (AmeLanahier alni fo U aJ ( 48) "south" s 1ope percent cover serviceberry (Amelanahier alnifoliaJ (49) "(north)" s lope percent cover mixed brush (50) "south" slope percent cover mi xed brush (51) "( north)" slope percent cover sagebrush (A r temisia tridentata) (52) "south" slope percent cover sagebrush (kl'temisia tridentata) (53) "(north) " slope percent cover alfalfa (Mediaago sativa) (54) "south" slope percent cover alfalfa (Mediaago sativa) 47

Appendi x B

f~ethod of f~eas uri ng Va ri ab 1es Recorded for a 11 Sampling Areas Searched for Blue Grouse

Calendar day, month, and year.

Time The time a sampling area was searched was calculated as the mean time of the area, rounded off to the nearest hour. For example, if search of a sampling area began at 12:00 (noon) and ended at 4:00 p. m. the time recorded was 2:00 p. m. All time was recorded as Mountain Daylight Time.

Location--township, range, and section From U.S. Forest Service maps.

Sampling area type See Appendix C

Mean elevation From United States Geological Survey topographic maps.

Area exposure Compass reading to the nearest direction of N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, or NW.

Slope exposures Compass reading to the nearest direction of N-S, E-W, NE-SW, or NW-SE. . ·· .·

Area percent incline With a draw, this measurement was taken along the draw bed. The upper or lower portions of the draw bed were not included in the measure ment if the percent incline of these portions differed by at least 10 percent from the percent incline of the middle section of the draw bed. These same conditions applied to ridge tops.

"North'' and "south" slope percent incline Measured with an Abney level.

Draw length Measured along the draw bed from aerial photographs and United States Geological Survey maps. Measurements were taken in 100 yard intervals.

"North" and "south" slope average height Average height was estimated in the field and checked from aerial photographs. If aerial photographs were not available, the field estimates were used . Height was measured in intervals of 25-100 yards.

Slope top d1stance The mean distance between slope tops of a draw was measured from aerial photographs or United States Geological Survey topographic maps . Measurements were recorded in 1ntervals of 25-100 yards .

Presence of blue grouse

Discussed prev1ous ly (Search techniques, page 20.) 49

"(North)" and "south" slope primary, secondary, and tertiary cover species Determined on the basis of quantity, the most abundant species being the primary species, etc. All vegetation was considered except forbs. Estimates were made at a distance during the fall when differences in coloration facilitated identification.

"(North)" and "south" slope understory density Understory density was measured subjectively as light, medium, and dense. Light understory was defined as presenting little restric tion to movement through it on foot and by having at least 50 percent bare ground . Dense understory had less than 20 percent bare ground and was difficult to walk through. Medium density referred to condi tions lying between light and dense. Ocular estimates of the percent of bare ground were taken in the f i eld .

"(North)" and "south" slope percent cover of exposed rock Ocular estimates taken in the field.

Total acres Measured with a 64 dot per square inch grid. Each dot represented 0.625 acres at the datum pl ane . Most areas were above the datum plane, therefore, each dot was calculated to represent an average of 0.7 acres.

"(North)" and "south" slope percent forested Distant ocular est1mate of percent crown cover of tree species. 50

Percent cover of plant species The percent cover of species (spe cies measured are given in Appendix A) was estimated at a distance in the fall, when identifica tion of individual species was facilitated by color differences. In order to eliminate difficulties in distinguishing between species of the same color, a rough map of the vegetation present on a sampling area was made in the field. The map was referred to when percent cover was estimated. 51

Appendix C Definitions of Variables Recorded for all Sampling Areas Searched for Blue Grouse

Sea rch area type Draw. A draw was defined as an area with two inclined sides, each with at least a 5 percent incline. The height of each slope was at least 10 yards and the average distance between slope tops was not more than approximately l/4 mile. A relatively straight draw was classified as one sampling area even if the plant communities were different on the opposite slopes. There was only one condition under which a draw was divided into more than one sampling area. This occurred when a draw changed direction by at least 45 degrees. The two portions, separated at t he point of the turn, were co nsidered as two separate sampling areas. Inclined area. An inclined area was defined as any area with an incline exceeding 5 percent without an opposite slope for at least 1/4 mile. Sampling areas within inclined areas were also delimited by different plant communities and/or a change in direction of at least 45 degrees. Flat area . A flat area was defined as any area with an incline of less than 5 percent. Samp l ing areas within flat areas were determined by plant communities. If two different plant communities occurred on different portions of the same flat area, two different sampling areas were classified. Ridge tops. Ridge tops were areas with at least a 5 percent in cline on two sides. These areas were limited laterally by an arbitrary 52

line approximately 50 yards down each side. The number of sampling areas on one ridge top was determined by the number of different plant communities and by a sudden rise or drop of the ridge top.

General exposure General exposure of the entire habitat type.

Area percent incline Average percent incline of the habitat type.

Location--township, range, section, and quarter section The terms township, range, and section are directional locators on United States Forest Service maps. The same method was used, along with Forest Service maps, to indicate location of habitat types. Town ship gives N-S directi on, and range defines E-W direction. Specification of township, X, and range, Y, locates an area divided into 36 sections.

"(North)" and "south" slope understory density Understory refers to vegetation less than four feet in height and categorized as light, medium, or dense.

"(North)" and "south" slope terrain type The percent of exposed rock present.

"(North)" and "south" slope percent forested Species measured under this category were maple, mountain mahogany, chokecherry, juniper, aspen, and conifers.

"(North)" and "south" slope percent cover mixed brush

Mixed brush included sagebrush, bitterbrush, ninebark fPhysocarpus 53 maZvaaeus ) and other species of corresponding physi cal structure. When mixed brush was measured, no entry was made under "percent cover sagebrush." 54

Appendi x D Native and Introduced Pl an t s Obs erved on Sampling Areas Sea rched for Blue Grouse a

Trees and Shrubs

Alpine fir Abies Zasioaarpa Antelope bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Bigtooth maple Aaer grandidentum Big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata Black sagebrush Ar temisia nova Blueberry elder Sambucus aoerulea Bo xel der Aaer negundo Broom snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Creepin9 mahonia Mahonia repens Curlleaf mountain mahogany Ceraoaarpus ledifolius currant Ribes sp . Doug las fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Limber pine Pinus flexi lis Lombardy poplar Populus nigra italiaa Ma 11 ow ninebark Phy soaarpus malvaaeus Myrtle pachistima Pachistima myrsinites Narrowleaf cottonwood Populus angustifolia Quaking aspen Populus tremuloides Rockspirea Holodisaus discolor Rocky Mountain juniper Juniperus saopuZorum rose Rosa sp. Rubber rabbithrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus Saskatoon serviceberry AmeZanahier aZnifoZia Singleleaf pinyon Pinus monophyZZa Skunkbush sumac Rhus trilobata Slenderbush eriogonum Eriogonum miarotheaum Smooth sumac Rhus glabra Snowbrush Ceanothus veZutinus Sticky rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus visaidiflorus True mountain mahogany Ceraoaarpus montanus Utah juniper Juniperus osteosperma Water birch Betula oaaidentalis White fir Abies aonaoZor Whortleleaf sno~Jberry Symphoriaarpos vaccinioides willows Salix sp.

Beardless bluebunch ~Jheat g rass Agropyron inerme Nygren (1963) 55

Cheatg rass brome Bromus tectorum Cres ted wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum Indian ricegrass Cryzopsis hymenoides Kentuc ky bluegrass Poa pratensis Mountain brome Bromus carinatus Rattlesnake grass Bromus brizaeformia Re d threeawan Aristida longiseta Sa n dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus Sandberg bluegrass Poa secunda Smooth brome Bromus inermis Spikefescue Hesperochlea kingi Subalpi ne need l egra ss Stipa columbiana

Forbs

Alumroot Heuchera parvifolia Arrowleaf balsamroot Balsamorhiza sagittata As pen fleabane Erigeron speciosus aster Aster sp. Canada thistle Ci rsium arvense Common sunflower Helianthus annaus Dogbane Apocyrrun pumi lum Eri ogon um Eriogonum umbellatum Falseyarrow Chaenaotis dnuglasii fi re~Jeed Epi Zobium sp. Gel den rod Petradoria pumila Gel den rod Solidago lepida Hairy goldastor Chrysopsis villosa larkspur De lphirium s p. Lewis flax Linum lewisii Louisiana sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana r~ulesear wyethi a Wyethia amplexicaulis nettle Urtica sp. onion Allium sp. paintbrush Castilleja sp. Pale alyssum Alvssum alyssoides Phacel i a Phacelia leucophylla phlox Phlox sp . Primrose Oenothera pallida Rock spirea Petrophytum caespitosum sa lsify Tragopogon s p. Sego lily mariposa Calochortus nuttallii Showy go 1den eye Viguiera multiflora Skyrocket gi 1i a Cilia aggregata Spider mil kweed Asclepias oapricorny Tapertip hawksbeard Crepis acuminata Tufted evening primrose Oenothera caespitosa Tumbling russianthistle Salsola kali Utah 1ocoweed Astragalus utahensis Veronica Ve ronica campylopoda Western ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya

- ---- 56

Western virginsbower CLematis LigusticifoLia Western yarrow AchiLlea LanuLosa Wild fuchsia Eauschneria garrettii Wild morning glory ConcoLvuLus arvensis 57

VITA Robert M. 11aes tro Candidate for the Degree of 11as ter of Science

Thesis: Spring and Summer Habitat Preferences of Blue Grouse on the Bear River Range, Utah 11 ajor Field: Wildlife Biology Biographical Information:

Personal Data: Born in r~orwa l k, Connecticut, Apr1l 24 , 1943, son of Edward and Carmella 1·1aestro; married Barbara Ann Buonviri February 24, 1968 Education: Attended elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut; graduated from Norwalk High Schoo 1 in 1961 ; received Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont, with a major in botany in 1965, did graduate work in fungal physi ology and taught introductory botany, plant microtechn1que, and plant physiology laboratories at the University of t1aryland, 1965-1968; completed requirements for the 11aster of Science degree, specializing in wildlife biology, at Utah State University in 1970.