Common Raven Activity in Relation to Land Use in Western Wyoming: Implications for Greater Sage-Grouse Reproductive Success

[摘要] Abstract. Anthropogenic changes in landscapes can favor generalist species adapted to human settlement, such as the Common Raven (Corvus corax), by providing new resources. Increased densities of predators can then negatively affect prey, especially rare or sensitive species. Jackson Hole and the upper Green River valley in western Wyoming are experiencing accelerated rates of human development due to tourism and natural gas development, respectively. Increased raven populations in these areas may negatively influence the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a sensitive sagebrush specialist. We investigated landscape-level patterns in raven behavior and distribution and the correlation of the raven data with the grouse's reproductive success in western Wyoming. In our study areas towns provide ravens with supplemental food, water, and nest sites, leading to locally increased density but with apparently limited (<3 km) movement by ravens from towns to adjacent areas of undeveloped sagebrush. Ra...

[学科分类] 动物科学

[关键词] anthropogenic subsidies;Centrocercus urophasianus;Common Raven;Corvus corax;density and occupancy modeling;Greater Sage-Grouse;nest and brood predation