At long last (~18months after first submission), Jessica’s paper detailing the multi-year noise introduction experiment has finally been published. Those with institutional access to Conservation Biology can get it here. The paper compares maximum lek attendance of males and females at leks with and without experimentally introduced noise, and found that relatively modest and localized noise sources were enough to cause declines. Two types of noise were used- relatively constant drilling noise, and less predictable truck noise. Somewhat surprisingly, truck noise, although it was intermittent and had a much lower mean amplitude over long periods, was associated with higher declines than the drilling noise.

Having seen the truly Herculean effort it took Diane and Jessica to actually execute this study in the field, and knowing how important it is to have this paper out there while new sage-grouse management plans are being drafted, I’m super excited to see this finally in print. Congrats Jessica, Diane, and Gail!