Long term changes in sage grouse habitat

Variation in climate across the Great Basin affects resilience of sagebrush ecosystems following fire due to increasing temperatures, elevated atmospheric CO2, and rising frequencies of severe weather events (Miller et al. 2010). These changes are unfortunately connected to the conversion of sagebrush to other woody vegetation, which in turn can include cheatgrass. These conditions can also lead to more severe fire occurrences, which sagebrush ecosystems cannot recover from (Miller et al. 2010). In the Great Basin, sagebrush is often the dominant plant and has a weak understory. Additionally, the Great Basin already typically experiences higher temperatures than many other sagebrush ecosystems due to it's location (Miller et at. 2010). I believe that because of this, variation in climate across the Great Basin could directly affect sage grouse populations and cheatgrass invasion in the following ways:

-The warmer the temperature, the greater chance of cheatgrass invasion and loss of sage grouse habitat due to increased fire activity caused by severe weather events
-With lack of precipitation, there is a greater chance of both cheatgrass invasion and loss of sage grouse habitat

I believe the Colorado Plateau fits both of these criteria, and feel that this area of the Great Basin may be most affected by the current conditions these ecosystems are facing.


Source:
Miller et al. 2010. Characteristics of sagebrush habitats and limitations to long-term conservation.