Idaho State Plan 2000
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Idaho Partners in Flight Idaho Bird Conservation Plan Version 1.0 January 2000 Address Questions to: Sharon Ritter Idaho Partners in Flight Coordinator 142 West Hills Way Hamilton, MT 59840 406-375-9150 [email protected] EXECUTIVE SUMMARY JUSTIFICATION Continental and local declines in numerous bird populations have lead to concern for the future of migratory and resident bird species. The reasons for declines are complex. Habitat loss, modification, and fragmentation, loss of wintering and migratory habitat, and brood parasitism have been implicated. Scientists and the concerned public agreed that they needed a coordinated, cooperative conservation initiative focusing on birds. Partners in Flight was conceived as a voluntary, international coalition of government agencies, conservation groups, academic institutions, private businesses, and everyday citizens dedicated to “keeping common birds common.” PURPOSE AND SCOPE Idaho Partners in Flight focused this plan on restoring healthy ecosystems that will maintain productive and complete bird communities. The plan identifies priority bird species, then uses those species and other information on habitat trends to focus on the highest priority habitats. Thus, this plan takes a habitat-based approach, rather than a species-based approach, to conserving bird populations. This version of the Idaho Bird Conservation Plan covers in detail four habitats that we consider the highest priority habitats for birds in Idaho: Riparian; Non-riverine Wetlands; Sagebrush Shrublands; and Dry Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-fir/Grand Fir Forests. For each of these habitats, we describe their importance to birds, give habitat descriptions, state objectives and issues, and give strategies and tasks for meeting those objectives. In future versions of the Idaho Bird Conservation Plan, we will address other habitats important to birds. We also discuss non-habitat and cross-habitat threats. OBJECTIVES Our objectives are: In Riparian habitat, 1) Maintain the existing distribution and extent of each riparian system; and 2) By 2025, restore at least 10% of the historical extent of each riparian system within each ecoregion subsection, to conditions that would support productive populations of designated focal species (called “target conditions”). In Non-riverine Wetlands, obtain a net increase in the number of acres (hectares) of wetlands in Idaho, focusing on the same types and amounts that historically occurred here. In Sagebrush Shrublands, 1) By the end of the 2009 breeding season, reverse declining trends of species associated with sagebrush habitats in Idaho, while maintaining current populations of other associated species, and 2) manage for Sage Grouse numbers as outlined in each Sage Grouse Management Area in the Sage Grouse Management Plan (using Sage Grouse as an umbrella species) by 2007. Statewide, this would result in doubling the 5-year running average number of males that were counted on a representative sample of Idaho leks between 1991 and 1996. Habitat objectives also are given. In Dry Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-fir/Grand Fir Forests, restore by 2025 as much as possible but at least 10% of the historical range of these forests meeting the conditions needed for White-headed Woodpeckers (a focal species). This comes to approximately 100,000 ac (40,500 ha). COORDINATION The presence of a Coordinator position has been crucial to Idaho PIF’s success and is crucial to the successful implementation of this Idaho Bird Conservation Plan and coordination with surrounding states and physiographic areas. Continued funding for this position is important and should be encouraged by all Idaho PIF members. Page 1--Idaho Bird Conservation Plan, Version 1.0--January 2000 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to extend appreciation and thanks to all of the partners who contributed their time and expertise to write this plan. Their hard work and dedication have made this very important endeavor possible. We thank all cooperating government agencies and organizations, including: Idaho Department of Fish and Game USDA Forest Service USDI Bureau of Land Management USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Golden Eagle Audubon Society Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society USGS Biological Resources Division Boise Cascade Corporation Turnstone Ecology Wildlife and Ecosystem Management Associates Environmental Science and Research Foundation Sustainable Ecosystems Institute University of Idaho College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences Idaho State University Colorado Bird Observatory The following individuals contributed significantly to the development, writing, and editing of this plan. We especially would like to thank: Sharon Ritter (Idaho PIF Coordinator) Sandy Jacobson John Augsburger Sherry Hudson Jon Beals Kerry Hughes Carol Beardmore Mabel Jankovsky-Jones Steve Bouffard Jason Karl Rita Dixon Paul Makela Diane Evans Carolyn Mehl Katie Fite Chris Paige Robin Garwood Charley Rains Bruce Haak Tim Reynolds Jon Haufler Rex Sallabanks Pat Heglund Helen Ulmschneider We also would like to thank the following individuals for their participation in conservation planning meetings, information assembly, and/or manuscript review: Bob Altman, John Apel, Jon Bart, Jack Connelly, John Doremus, Susan Earnst, Scott Feltis, Chuck Harris, Tom Hemker, Chris Hescock, James Kumm, Lyle Lewis, Wayne Melquist, Mike Munts, David Pashley, Terry Rich, Scott Robinson, John Rotenberry, Steve Rust, Vicki Saab, Signe Sather-Blair, Greg Schildwachter, Dan Svingen, Colleen Sweeney, Allan Thomas, Chuck Trost, and Charlene Vullo. Page 2--Idaho Bird Conservation Plan, Version 1.0--January 2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................... 5 Geographic Context ............................................................. 6 Geography and Demography ................................................ 6 Vegetation .............................................................. 6 Opportunities for Bird Conservation .......................................... 12 Prioritization ................................................................. 12 Idaho’s Avifauna ........................................................ 12 Idaho PIF Prioritization System .............................................. 12 Conservation Plan for Priority Birds and Habitats ....................................... 19 Riparian Habitat ........................................................ 19 Introduction ...................................................... 19 Habitat Description ................................................ 19 Bird Conservation Plan for Riparian Habitat .............................. 29 Non-Riverine Wetlands .................................................. 38 Introduction ...................................................... 38 Habitat Description ................................................ 38 Bird Conservation Plan for Non-Riverine Wetland Habitat .................... 44 Sagebrush Shrub ........................................................ 50 Introduction ...................................................... 50 Habitat Description ................................................ 50 Bird Conservation Plan for Sagebrush Habitat ............................. 54 Dry Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-Fir/Grand Fir Habitat ............................... 65 Introduction ...................................................... 65 Habitat Description ................................................ 65 Bird Conservation Plan for Dry Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-Fir/Grand Fir Forests ..... 69 Other Habitats .......................................................... 75 Alpine .......................................................... 75 High-elevation Mixed Conifer Forest .................................... 75 Lodgepole Pine Forest .............................................. 75 Cedar and Hemlock Forest ........................................... 76 Low-elevation Mixed Conifer Forest .................................... 76 Juniper/Pinyon Pine/Mountain Mahogany ................................ 76 Aspen .......................................................... 78 Mountain Brush ................................................... 78 Salt Desert Shrub .................................................. 79 Grassland ....................................................... 79 Non-habitat and Cross-habitat Threats ........................................ 83 Goals and Objectives ............................................... 83 Strategies and Tasks to Meet Goals and Objectives ......................... 83 Idaho PIF Coordination ......................................................... 88 Current Organization ..................................................... 88 Future Organization ...................................................... 88 Page 3--Idaho Bird Conservation Plan, Version 1.0--January 2000 How to evaluate progress toward reaching the objectives in this plan ........................................................ 90 Literature Cited ............................................................... 91 LIST OF FIGURES, TABLES, AND APPENDICES Figures 1 Physiographic Area Boundaries and Idaho..........................................................................7 2 Idaho Federal Land Ownership...........................................................................................8 3 Idaho State Land Ownership..............................................................................................9 4 Idaho Political Features ..................................................................................................10