Habitat Selection of Dusky Grouse on a Biosolids-Remediated
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HABITAT SELECTION OF DUSKY GROUSE ON A BIOSOLIDS-REMEDIATED CATTLE RANCH IN BRITISH COLUMBIA by Kirstie Jaylene Lawson B.S., University of Montana, 2012 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Biology) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) July 2018 © Kirstie Jaylene Lawson, 2018 The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis/dissertation entitled: HABITAT SELECTION OF DUSKY GROUSE ON A BIOSOLIDS-REMEDIATED CATTLE RANCH IN BRITISH COLUMBIA submitted by Kirstie Jaylene Lawson in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science . Dr. Karen Hodges, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Supervisor Frank Doyle, Wildlife Dynamics Consulting Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Bob Lalonde, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Supervisory Committee Member John Lavery, SYLVIS Environmental Services Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Trudy Kavanaugh, Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences University Examiner ii Abstract In North America, habitat loss and fragmentation have caused declines in many gallinaceous species. Before we can understand how these changes to a landscape affect an individual species, we must first understand how that species uses their habitat. Our understanding of dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) habitat selection is lacking and I focus my research on increasing our knowledge of this forest grouse species. In this thesis, I assess microhabitat selection at nesting and brood-rearing sites, as well as patch-level habitat selection and the effects of biosolids on amendments on habitat selection of dusky grouse. I trapped and radio-collared 26 dusky grouse hens during 2016-2017 and tracked individuals throughout the summer months (May-July). I used model selection in an AIC framework to determine which vegetation variables affect dusky grouse choice of nesting and brood-rearing sites at the microhabitat level. Dusky grouse are habitat generalists. However, hens selected nest sites with high visual cover, and nest success was positively influenced by visual obstruction of the nest bowl. This suggests that cover from predators is important when hens select nest sites, and that predation may be influenced by the predator’s ability to see the nest. Brood sites were more variable, and brood hens appeared to choose sites based on non-vegetative variables. Furthermore, the use of biosolids, treated human waste, on the landscape allowed me to look at dusky grouse use these amendments. I assess broad-scale habitat select through patch-level use of available habitat types and the distance dusky grouse traveled into biosolids-amended and untreated grasslands. I found drastic year differences in selection and use of grasslands, and weather or food abundance may play a role in site selection. In 2017, a much drier, warmer year, dusky grouse hens traveled significantly further into biosolids-amended grasslands than untreated grasslands. In 2016, hens traveled much further into grasslands overall, showing iii similar distributions in both biosolids-amended and untreated grasslands. My research suggests that biosolids may be beneficial for dusky grouse in drought years, by enhancing plant growth and increasing insect densities. iv Lay Summary Little is known about how dusky grouse, a forest grouse species found in Western North America, use the habitat available to them. I evaluated use of this habitat at a small scale, choice of nest sites and sites to raise their chicks, and at a large scale, choice of forest and grassland patches. I found that the amount of visual cover is important to the choice of nest sites and to nest success, providing cover from animals that might attack the nest. Dusky grouse prefer conifer forests, but females will travel further into grasslands during years with more precipitation and cooler summers. The use of biosolids, treated human waste, on grasslands at the ranch may be beneficial to dusky grouse during drought years, decreasing the rate at which the vegetation dries out and increasing food available to grouse. v Preface For this research, I was responsible for designing the study, conducting fieldwork, analyzing the data, and writing and editing this thesis. Dr. Karen Hodges and Frank Doyle provided feedback throughout the process and guided me on which techniques to use. The original research idea was requested by the Upland Bird Society, and Dr. Hodges and Frank Doyle came up with the initial concepts of the research. Frank Doyle assisted with fieldwork, training me on trapping techniques for dusky grouse, and provided field support throughout the study. Dr. Bob Lalonde and John Lavery provided comments on the original research proposal and the written thesis. Fieldwork was completed with the help of Megan Buers and Emma Gaudreault. Both data chapters will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. The publications arising from Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 will be co-authored by myself, Dr. Karen Hodges, and Frank Doyle. This research will also be published in concert with a larger study on biosolids impacts on wildlife. All animal handling techniques used in this research were approved by the University of British Columbia Animal Care Committee (Certificate # A15-0216) and the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations (Permit # WL17-263857). vi Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iii Lay Summary .................................................................................................................................. v Preface............................................................................................................................................ vi Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. ix List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. x Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Focal species: Dusky Grouse ................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Speciation of Dusky Grouse .................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Landscape Restoration and Wildlife Habitat ........................................................................ 3 1.4 What are Biosolids? .............................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Regulation of Biosolids ......................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Wildlife Response to Biosolids ............................................................................................. 7 1.7 Research Objectives .............................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 2: Microhabitat selection of nest and brood sites by Dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) in Southern Interior British Columbia .......................................................................... 10 2.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 13 2.3 Results ................................................................................................................................. 18 2.3.1 Nest Sites .......................................................................................................................... 18 2.3.2 Nest Success ..................................................................................................................... 19 2.3.3 Brood Sites ....................................................................................................................... 21 2.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3: Patch-level habitat selection by Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) in a biosolids- amended landscape ....................................................................................................................... 34 3.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 34 3.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 38 3.3 Results ................................................................................................................................. 41 3.4 Discussion ..........................................................................................................................