The lesser-prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a grassland bird species native to the United States. Their habitat can be found in the southern Great Plains. They are known for their courtship displays and vocalizations, unique physical traits, and specific habitat needs. Unfortunately, they face severe threats due to habitat loss and fragmentation driven by the oil and gas industry in the New Mexico Permian Basin. The expansion of energy development in this ecoregion significantly impacts the survival and reproduction rate/success of lesser-prairie chickens, raising concerns for the conservation of this species and their habitat.
Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
Habitat loss and fragmentation
The Permian Basin is the most productive oilfield in the United States, yet its development and infrastructure disrupts the natural habitat that is essential for lesser-prairie chickens. Research has shown that oil and gas production, including the construction of well pads, roads, and powerlines can lead many species to avoid this habitat, including the lesser-prairie chicken. It can also influence behavioral changes, such as moving nests further away from these features, which can increase vulnerability to predators and reduce reproductive success (LeBeau et al., 2023). Due to these disturbances, the habitat for these birds is severely compromised, which contributes to population declines.
Image of Eastern New Mexico Permian Basin oilfield (Loco Hills)
Habitat fragmentation caused by energy development reduces or eliminates connectivity between critical habitats needed for breeding, nesting, and foraging. Studies indicate that oil wells and roads are frequently avoided by lesser-prairie chickens. This results in limiting their movement and impacting genetic diversity (Schilder et al., 2022). The loss of connected habitats is further complicated by shifts in land use, leading to isolated population groups, which can diminish recolonization efforts (Berigan et al., 2024).
Impact of Oil and Gas Development on Lesser Prairie Chicken Populations
The oil and gas industry not only causes habitat fragmentation, but introduces other threats such as noise pollution from machinery and light pollution (flares, lights) which can interrupt mating and nesting behaviors (Lawrence et al.,2022). These disturbances can lead to abandonment of leks (these are communal breeding grounds), meaning, disturbed breeding opportunities and increased mortality rates due to introduced stressors (Lawrence et al.,2021). With many estimates suggesting over 90% of lesser-prairie chicken habitat being lost, any continued oil and gas development is a threat to their viability (Pirius et al., 2013). When considering the drastic decline in prairie chicken populations, we can’t continue to overlook climate considerations. The combined impacts of habitat loss due to energy exploitation concur with drought conditions intensified by climate change, which has already diminished resources available to the lesser-prairie chicken.
Conclusion
In summary, the oil and gas industry’s expansion into the New Mexico Permian has resulted in severe consequences for the lesser-prairie chicken through habitat fragmentation, diminished landscape connectivity, increased noise and light disturbances, and climate stressors. Without immediate regulatory oversight and conservation efforts, the future of this iconic species and its habitat in the American Southwest will remain under threat. If state regulatory agencies and the oil and gas industry are really as concerned about conservation as they claim to be, the application for, and issuing of well permits in lesser-prairie chicken habitat would cease. As long as oil and gas operations continue, lesser prairie chicken populations will at the least remain vulnerable, and at worst face extirpation (regional extinction) or extinction.
References
LeBeau, C. W., Smith, K. T., & Kosciuch, K. L. (2023). Lesser prairie‐chicken habitat selection and survival relative to a wind energy facility located in a fragmented landscape. Wildlife Biology, 2023(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01091
Schilder, L. J., Heintzman, L. J., McIntyre, N. E., Harryman, S., Hagen, C. A., Martin, R. L., … & Grisham, B. A. (2022). Structural and functional landscape connectivity for lesser prairie‐chickens in the sand shinnery oak prairie ecoregion. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 86(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22146
Berigan, L. A., Aulicky, C. S. H., Teige, E. C., Sullins, D. S., Fricke, K. A., Reitz, J. H., … & Haukos, D. A. (2024). Lesser prairie‐chicken dispersal after translocation: implications for restoration and population connectivity. Ecology and Evolution, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10871
Lawrence, A. J., Boggie, M. A., Gould, W., Carleton, S. A., & Nichols, C. T. (2022). Differential seasonal avoidance of anthropogenic features and woody vegetation by lesser prairie-chickens. Ornithological Applications, 124(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duac022
Lawrence, A. J., Carleton, S. A., Gould, W., & Nichols, C. T. (2021). Lesser prairie‐chicken survival in varying densities of energy development. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(6), 1256-1266. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22084
Pirius, N. E., Boal, C. W., Haukos, D. A., & Wallace, M. C. (2013). Winter habitat use and survival of lesser prairie‐chickens in west texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 37(4), 759-765. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.354
