Abstract
Anthropogenic infrastructure can negatively affect wildlife through direct mortality and/or displacement behaviors. Some tetranoids (grouse spp.) species are particularly vulnerable to tall anthropogenic structures because they evolved in ecosystems void of vertical structures. In western North America, electric power transmission and distribution lines (power lines) occur in sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) landscapes within the range of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended using buffer zones near leks to mitigate the potential impacts of power lines on sage-grouse. However, recommended buffer distances are inconsistent across state and federal agencies because data are lacking. To address this, we evaluated the effects of power lines on sage-grouse breeding ecology within Utah, portions of southeastern Idaho, and southwestern Wyoming from 1998–2013. Overall, power lines negatively affected lek trends up to a distance of 2.7 and 2.8 km, respectively. Power lines died not affect lek persistence. Female sage-grouse avoided transmission lines during the nesting and brooding seasons at distances up to 1.1 and 0.8 km, respectively. Nest and brood success were negatively affected by transmission lines up to distances of 2.6 and 1.1 km, respectively. Distribution lines did not appear to affect sage-grouse habitat selection or reproductive fitness. Our analyses demonstrated the value of sagebrush cover in mitigating potential power line impacts. Managers can minimize the effects of new transmission power lines by placing them in existing anthropogenic corridors and/or incorporating buffers at least 2.8 km from active leks. Given the uncertainty we observed in our analyses regarding sage-grouse response to distribution lines coupled with their role in providing electric power service directly to individual consumers, we recommend that buffers for these power lines be considered on a case-by-case basis. Micrositing to avoid important habitats and habitat reclamation may reduce the potential impacts of new power line construction.
Highlights
Over the past century, human population growth has facilitated land use changes at a global scale [1]
Because the segmented library did not accommodate the use of generalized linear mixed models (GLMM), we identified uncertainty around a threshold GLMM as any threshold model that fell within ΔAICc of
Our research is the first to quantify appropriate best management practices (BMP) buffer distances based on known sagegrouse seasonal habitat-use data for the construction of new electric power transmission and distribution lines in sage-grouse habitats
Summary
Human population growth has facilitated land use changes at a global scale [1]. The infrastructure (e.g., roads, electrical lines) required to support this human population growth can negatively impact wildlife [2]. Anthropogenic structures constructed in previously unfragmented landscapes [3], can have direct and indirect effects on local wildlife populations [4,5,6]. Anthropogenic development may indirectly affect wildlife populations by causing changes in animal behavior (e.g., displacement [3]), increased predation risk [8], or by creating impediments to seasonal migration [9, 10]. As such, identifying and quantifying both the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic structures on wildlife as well as effective measures to minimize negative impacts are essential for conserving affected wildlife populations [3, 12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
