Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. Because the range of the species was not formally described until 1997, it is difficult to determine the extent of habitat loss range-wide. Increased fragmentation of shinnery oak-dune habitat from removal of shinnery oak for agriculture, cattle grazing, and oil and gas development may isolate SDL populations, increasing the likelihood of extinction (Xxxxx et al. 1997). Habitat disturbance has already occurred within the range of the species, and there is little doubt that the current distribution and range is a small, but unquantified part of its historic range (Xxxxx et al.
Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. Much of the suitable LPC habitat across the species historic multi-state range has been lost due to a conversion to agriculture or modified through grazing practices and other factors (Xxxxxxxx 1980; Xxxxx et al. 1994). Direct conversion of rangeland to other land uses is the most prevalent cause of LPC habitat fragmentation throughout its range. Other sources of impact on the structure and continuity of grassland habitats include the construction of the infrastructure associated with oil and gas extraction and wind farm development.
Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. Water Quality and Loss of Water Resources Degradation of water quality is a primary threat to the Covered Species and other desert riparian species. Poor water quality negatively impacts species survival and affects the function of the local ecosystem. Low water levels and contaminants (Xxxxxx 2007) exacerbate poor water quality conditions, resulting in potential damage to habitat of the Covered Species. Recent pumping of water from Black River, extreme drought events, along with other increased water withdrawals for commercial and other purposes, have caused the amount of surface flow in the watershed to decline significantly (Xxxxxx 2007). Additional reduction in flow could raise the water temperature, cause pools to stagnate, and cease surface flow altogether. Low-water crossings on both the Black and Delaware rivers are utilized frequently by both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks associated with construction activities including, but not limited to, oil and gas development. Vehicles utilizing low-water crossings could discharge pollutants (liquids or solids) (BLM 2016) in violation of the Clean Water Act or the Oil Pollution Act that could impact the Covered Species. Inadvertent transport of contaminants and contaminated soils by otherwise legal traffic usage may also occur. The topography and steep slopes of these low-water crossings could allow spilled contaminates and contaminated soils to directly enter into the surface water of the river and negatively impact the species (Xxxxx 1986; Xxxxx and Xxxxx 1989; Xxxxxxxxxx 1982, 1984). Golden Algae is a warm water alga that occasionally erupts (blooms) in the Pecos River (Maning and La Claire 2010). A change to the water quality has been shown to increase chances of Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxx and Xx Xx Xxxx 1989). In contrast, high instream flows can terminate or suppress Golden Algae blooms (Xxxxxx 2010). These blooms originate in the Pecos River and have been found at the mouth of the Black River. By depleting the river of oxygen, blooms of Golden Algae and associated toxins would likely result in irreparable harm to the Covered Species. Water temperatures are lower in the Delaware River compared to other sites in the Pecos River, making it less susceptible to Golden Algae blooms. Maintaining adequate water flow in the Black River will help reduce the potential for Golden Algae blooms that can impact the Covered Species. Runoff and Erosion Historical land use activities, such as constructio...
Loss, Destruction, Modification, or Fragmentation of Habitat. Much of the suitable LPC habitat across the species historic multi-state range has been lost due to a conversion to agriculture or modified through grazing practices and other factors (Xxxxxxxx 1980; Xxxxx et al. 1994). Direct conversion of rangeland to other land uses is the most prevalent cause of LPC habitat fragmentation throughout its range. Other sources of impact on the structure and continuity of grassland habitats include the construction of the infrastructure associated with oil and gas extraction and wind farm development. Impacts from Land Conversion to Agriculture Prairie grouse require large expanses of unfragmented, ecologically diverse native rangelands to complete their life cycles (Flock 2002). Intact landscapes of mixed-grass, shortgrass, and shrubland habitats are essential to the LPC (Xxxxxx 1998; Xxxxxxx et al. 2002). Conversion of native sandsage-shinnery oak rangeland to cultivation is an important factor in the decline of LPC populations (Xxxxxxx 1963; Xxxxxxx and XxXxxxxx 1963; Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx 1976; Xxxxxxxx 1980; Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxx 1980; Xxxxx et al. 1994; LPC Interstate Working Group 1997). Landscapes having greater than 20 to 37 percent cultivation may not support stable LPC populations (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx 1976). In the 1940s, 1970s, and 1980s, additional acres of previously unbroken grassland were brought into cultivation (Xxxxxxx 1987). Xxxxx and Xxxxxxx (1996) estimated that by 1993, only 8 percent of the bluestem-grama association and 58 percent of the mesquite-buffalo grass association as described by Xxxxxxx (1985) remained. When considered State-wide, each of the five states with extant LPC populations showed a decline in the amount of rangeland acreage over that time period, indicating that loss of important LPC habitat may still be occurring. The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was initiated in the National Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (Farm Bill), and since that time has resulted in millions of acres of marginal and highly erodable cropland returned to grassland, shrubland, and forest habitats (Xxxxxxx and Burger 2006), much of which is used by LPCs. Lands enrolled into CRP grass cover support LPC populations in a significant portion of occupied range, particularly in Kansas where expansion of the LPC population is directly related to the amount of land enrolled in CRP planted to a native grass mix. The importance of CRP habitat to the survival of the LPC was recentl...
