Impacts of Gas and Oil Development on Sharp-tailed Grouse Nest Success and Predator Dynamics in Western North Dakota

Recent advancements in extraction technologies are resulting in rapid increases of gas and oil development in western North Dakota. This expansion of energy development may have unknown effects on local wildlife populations and the ecological interactions within and among species. Sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) are a popular upland game bird species that rely on grassland habitat found throughout the state. Potential impacts of gas and oil development on the nest success of sharp-tailed grouse is an area of particular interest as it is an important factor in avian reproduction. Similarly, it is equally important to understand the impacts experienced by the mammalian predator community as these species are the primary cause of sharp-tailed grouse nest failure. Our objectives for this study were to evaluate potential impacts on sharp-tailed grouse nest success and nest predator dynamics using two study sites that represented areas of high and low energy development intensities in western North Dakota.