Long-term vegetation changes in a Snow Goose nesting habitat

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 965-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Ganter ◽  
Fred Cooke ◽  
Pierre Mineau
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Bare Sediment ◽  
Snow Geese

Vegetation in a small section of nesting habitat in a Lesser Snow Goose colony was mapped in 1976 and again in 1993. During the 17-year period, ground cover changed dramatically from being dominated by salt-marsh graminoids and short grasses to being dominated by willows and areas of bare sediment. Lyme grass, Elymus arenarius, a plant strongly favoured by Snow Geese when selecting their nest sites, which covered 15% of the ground in 1976, had completely disappeared by 1993. Although the area had contained 79 Snow Goose nests in 1976, no nests remained in 1993. Degradation of the nesting habitat is caused by foraging activities of the geese themselves during the prenesting and nesting phase: salt-marsh graminoids and short grasses are removed by grubbing and the sediment is exposed; E. arenarius plants are removed by shoot pulling. Both clutch size and hatching success can be negatively affected by the decline in available food plants, and, presumably as a consequence, the area was abandoned by breeding geese. This habitat destruction and subsequent abandonment of nesting areas by breeding geese is a process similar to that documented for brood-rearing areas of Lesser Snow Geese.

The influence of nesting habitat on reproductive success of the lesser snow goose

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1699-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. Jackson ◽  
David S. Hik ◽  
R. F. Rockwell
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Habitat Effect ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens

The quality of nesting habitat and the influence of vegetation height on reproductive success of the lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) were examined. In 1984, geese nesting in tall willow bushes (Salix ssp.) were more successful than individuals nesting in shorter willows, or in areas with no willows at all. In particular, individuals nesting in tall willows lost fewer eggs to depredation or abandonment, resulting in a greater number of goslings leaving the nest after hatch. The effect of willow height on reproductive success was independent of female age and relative nest initiation date, both of which are known to affect reproductive success. The degree of the habitat effect was not as great in 1986, but the geese nesting in willow bushes did tend to have greater reproductive success. Since spring environmental conditions influence both the availability and quality of nest sites, the potential importance of the effect of nesting habitat on reproductive success probably varies among years.

Temporal Changes in Habitat Selection and Nest Spacing in a Colony of Ross' and Lesser Snow Geese

The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Robert McLandress
Keyword(s):  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Nearest Neighbors ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Island Habitats

Abstract I studied the nesting colony of Ross' Geese (Chen rossii) and Lesser Snow Geese (C. caerulescens caerulescens) at Karrak Lake in the central Arctic of Canada in the summer of 1976. Related studies indicated that this colony had grown from 18,000 birds in 1966-1968 to 54,500 birds in 1976. In 1976, geese nested on islands that were used in the late 1960's and on an island and mainland sites that were previously unoccupied. Average nest density in 1976 was three-fold greater than in the late 1960's. Consequently, the average distance to nearest neighbors of Ross' Geese in 1976 was half the average distance determined 10 yr earlier. The mean clutch size of Ross' Geese was greater in island habitats where nest densities were high than in less populated island or mainland habitats. The average size of Snow Goose clutches did not differ significantly among island habitats but was larger at island than at mainland sites. Large clutches were most likely attributable to older and/or earlier nesting females. Habitat preferences apparently differed between species. Small clutches presumably indicated that young geese nested in areas where nest densities were low. The establishment of mainland nesting at Karrak Lake probably began with young Snow Geese using peripheral areas of the colony. Young Ross' Geese nested in sparsely populated habitats on islands to a greater extent than did Snow Geese. Ross' Geese also nested on the mainland but in lower densities than Ross' Geese nesting in similar island habitats. Successful nests with the larger clutches had closer conspecific neighbors than did successful nests with smaller clutches. The species composition of nearest neighbors changed significantly with distance from Snow Goose nests but not Ross' Goose nests. Nesting success was not affected by the species of nearest neighbor, however. Because they have complementary antipredator adaptations, Ross' and Snow geese may benefit by nesting together.

Classification of vegetation communities in which geese rear broods on the Yukon – Kuskokwim delta, Alaska

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 1294-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Babcock ◽  
Craig R. Ely
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Indicator Species Analysis ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Twinspan Classification ◽  
Vegetation Complexes ◽  
Air Photo

Plant communities are described from an area on the Yukon – Kuskokwim (Y-K) delta of Alaska that is used extensively for brood rearing by three species of geese. Earlier studies identified plant species important as food for young geese, but few studies describe or quantify plant communities. We classified species presence or absence information from over 700 quadrats using a two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and then tested for agreement of signatures on colour infrared air photos with the identified communities. Sedges were found to dominate all but the wettest and driest communities. Most of the brood-rearing area was covered by Carex ramenskii and Carex rariflora meadows, ponds, Carex mackenziei-dominated pond margins, and C. ramenskii and grass levee meadows. Our interpretation of airphotos accurately predicted vegetation community classes, which will facilitate future studies of habitat selection by geese during the time they are rearing young. The TWINSPAN classification was comparable to classifications of studies conducted elsewhere on the Y-K delta. The interpretation of air photos will enable the identification and evaluation of wetland vegetation complexes and potential goose brood-rearing areas away from our study site. Key words: air-photo interpretation, Alaska, plant communities, salt marsh, Yukon – Kuskokwim delta.

scholarly journals A comparison of drone imagery and ground-based methods for estimating the extent of habitat destruction by lesser snow geese (Anser caerulescens caerulescens) in La Pérouse Bay

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. e0217049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew F. Barnas ◽  
Brian J. Darby ◽  
Gregory S. Vandeberg ◽  
Robert F. Rockwell ◽  
Susan N. Ellis-Felege
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Anser Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Anser Caerulescens

scholarly journals Are Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, Exceeding the Carrying Capacity of the Fraser River Delta's Brackish Marshes?

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike W. Demarchi
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Brackish Marshes ◽  
Fraser River Delta ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens

Brackish marshes of the Fraser River delta provide important habitats for such high-profile animals as White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), Pacific Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri), and Lesser Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens), the latter comprising the “Fraser-Skagit” segment of the Wrangel Island (Russia) population. This study assessed whether the current numbers of Snow Geese are exceeding the carrying capacity of brackish marshes in the Fraser River delta. Simulation modelling predicts that those marshes are presently capable of supporting ~17,500 Snow Geese—a value that is greatly exceeded by the numbers of geese that have over-wintered there in recent years (~80,000 in 2004-2005). The Pacific Flyway Council’s target 3-y average population and segment sizes of 120,000 and 50,000 - 70,000, respectively, were set without considering the carrying capacity of natural wintering habitats, the potential impacts of too many geese on upland agriculture, or implications for hazards to civilian aircraft at Vancouver International Airport. The modelled results of the present study suggest that the Fraser River delta can sustain the current numbers of Snow Geese that stage or winter there only if those birds also forage in agricultural and refuge fields—a relatively recent phenomenon that likely bolstered the Snow Goose population. Over-use by Snow Geese can degrade the productivity and habitat quality of marshes. There is documented evidence that some key plant species (e.g., Scirpus americanus) of the brackish marshes of the Fraser River delta are well below their biomass potential (~15%), primarily because of grubbing by Snow Geese. Other species that depend on this brackish environment as well as human interests in the Fraser River delta may be adversely affected by an overabundance of Snow Geese. The future effectiveness of hunting as a primary means of population regulation is questioned.

scholarly journals Hybridization and Population Subdivision Within and Between Ross's Geese and Lesser Snow Geese: A Molecular Perspective

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 432-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D. Weckstein ◽  
Alan D. Afton ◽  
Robert M. Zink ◽  
Ray T. Alisauskas
Keyword(s):  
Control Region ◽  
Mtdna Control Region ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens ◽  
Ross's Geese

AbstractWe reanalyzed Quinn's (1992) mtDNA control region data set including new sequences from nine Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and 10 Ross's Geese (Chen rossi) and found the same divergent lineages that Quinn (1992) attributed to vicariant separation of Lesser Snow Goose populations during the Pleistocene. However, peculiar patterns of mtDNA control region sequence variation, including a multimodal mismatch distribution of mtDNA sequences with two levels of population structuring and the sharing of two divergent haplotype lineages, are consistent with two hybridization episodes in Chen geese. Comparisons of mtDNA variation with historical and allozyme data sets compiled by Cooke et al. (1988) are consistent with the hypothesis that sharing of two mtDNA haplotype lineages between Ross's Goose and Lesser Snow Goose resulted from hybridization (Avise et al. 1992). Furthermore, population structure found within one haplotype cluster is consistent with Cooke et al.‘s (1988) hypothesis of past allopatry between blue and white Lesser Snow Geese.Hibridización y Subdivisión dentro y entre Poblaciones de Chen rossi y Chen caerulescens caerulescens: Una Perspectiva MolecularResumen. Reanalizamos los datos de la región de control del ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt) de Quinn (1992), junto con nuevas secuencias de nueve individuos de la especie Chen caerulescens caerulescens y 10 de Chen rossi. Encontramos los mismos linajes divergentes que Quinn (1992) atribuyó a la separación vicariante de las poblaciones de C. c. caerulescens durante el Pleistoceno. Sin embargo, encontramos que las dos especies comparten dos linajes de haplotipos divergentes, y la distribución de “mismatch” en secuencias del ADNmt mostró multimodalidad con dos niveles de estructuración de la población. Estos patrones peculiares están de acuerdo con la hipótesis de que hubo dos episodios de hibridización en gansos del género Chen. Los datos históricos y de aloenzimas compilados por Cooke et al. (1988) también apoyan esta hipótesis (Avise et al. 1992). Además, la estructura de la población dentro de un grupo de haplotipos es consistente con la hipótesis de Cooke et al. (1988) acerca de la pasada alopatría entre los morfos azul y blanco de C. c. caerulescens.

scholarly journals Gosling Growth and Survival in Relation to Brood Movements in Greater Snow Geese (Chen Caerulescens Atlantica)

The Auk ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 1077-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Mainguy ◽  
Gilles Gauthier ◽  
Jean-François Giroux ◽  
Joël Bêty
Keyword(s):  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Movement Distance ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Atlantica ◽  
Precocial Birds

Abstract Post-hatch brood movements to high-quality foraging sites are common in precocial birds but may entail costs for young. We assessed effects of overland movements of broods between the nesting and rearing areas in Greater Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens atlantica) breeding on Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada, to determine whether these movements affected gosling survival and growth. We monitored 51 radiomarked females over five years to quantify movement distance, movement duration, and gosling survival. Gosling growth was compared over four years using a sample of web-tagged broods recaptured shortly before fledging among adults that (1) nested and reared their young in a dense colony, (2) left the colony and moved ≈30 km to reach the main brood-rearing area, or (3) nested and reared their young in the main brood-rearing area. Brood movements by radio-marked birds were highly variable (2.6-52.5 km, depending on rearing areas used) and fairly rapid (≤6 days after hatch for 72% of the females). Gosling survival was not related to distance moved between nesting and brood-rearing areas. However, gosling growth was influenced by areas used and whether or not they had to move to reach their brood-rearing area. Geese nesting at the main brood-rearing area generally reared heavier and larger goslings than those that moved ≈30 km from the main nesting colony to rear their brood at the main brood-rearing area. On the other hand, goslings leaving the nesting colony after hatch were heavier and larger than those that stayed there throughout brood rearing in one of two years. Although brood movements allow goslings access to high-quality habitats, they entail some costs. Thus, minimizing such movements through nest-site selection should provide a selective advantage by allowing goslings to maximize their growth. Croissance et Survie des Oisons en Relation avec les Déplacements des Familles chez Chen caerulescens atlantica

Habitat use and behaviour of Greater Snow Geese during movements from nesting to brood-rearing areas

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (8) ◽  
pp. 1096-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mainguy ◽  
G. Gauthier ◽  
J.-F. Giroux ◽  
I. Duclos
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Greater Snow Goose ◽  
Chen Caerulescens Atlantica ◽  
Precocial Birds ◽  
Aerial Tracking

Many precocial birds make long-distance movements with their young after hatch to reach the best foraging sites. On Bylot Island, Nunavut, a large number of Greater Snow Goose ( Chen caerulescens atlantica L., 1758) families move 30 km from the main nesting colony (MNC) to reach the main brood-rearing area (MBR) soon after hatch. Geese moving from the MNC to the MBR generally rear lighter and smaller goslings than geese that avoid this movement by both nesting and rearing their brood at the MBR. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that use of low-quality habitats and an increase in the time spent walking at the expense of foraging during movements could explain the reduced growth of goslings in those families. We conducted visual observations to compare habitat use and selection as well as behaviour of geese during brood movements from the MNC to the MBR (i.e., at a transit area) with those of families that had already settled at the MBR. We also conducted aerial tracking to monitor habitat use of 16 radio-marked females during and after brood movements. Streams, wet polygons, and lakes, considered high-quality habitats in terms of feeding opportunities and predator refuges, were preferred, while upland, a low-quality habitat, was avoided at both the transit area and the MBR. However, broods were found in the upland habitat more often during movements than once settled on a rearing site. The behaviour of unmarked geese at the transit site did not differ from that of geese at the MBR. We suggest that reduced food intake in low-quality habitats during movements, but not the increase in time spent walking, may explain the reduction in growth observed at fledging in goslings moving from the MNC to the MBR.

Nest-site selection by the Swainson's Hawk on the Regina plain, Saskatchewan

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 1887-1890
Author(s):  
Laura C. Groskorth
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Buteo Swainsoni ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Habitat Variables

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) nest sites on the Regina plain were compared with randomly selected sites. Various immediate and surrounding habitat variables were examined to determine whether this hawk shows a preference for nesting habitat. Results showed that hawks selected nest sites with significantly less surrounding wheatland and more surrounding grassland, trees, and shrubs than random sites. Nest sites were also farther from buildings and water and closer to larger communities than random sites. These results suggest that this hawk selects nest sites least affected by agriculture.

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