Qanuq ukua kanguit sunialiqpitigu? (What should we do with all of these geese?) Collaborative research to support wildlife co-management and Inuit self-determination

Inuit living in Nunavut have harvested light geese and lived near goose colonies for generations. Inuit knowledge includes important information about light goose ecology and management that can inform co-management and enhance scientific research and monitoring. Since the 1970s, populations of light geese (Snow and Ross’ Geese; kanguit and kangunnait in Inuktut; Chen caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758) and Chen rossii (Cassin, 1861)) have experienced significant increases in abundance which led to habitat alteration in some portions of the central and eastern Canadian Arctic. In response to concerns expressed by Inuit and wildlife managers about light goose abundance, we conducted a collaborative research project in Arviat and Salliq (Coral Harbour), Nunavut, aiming to mobilize and document Inuit knowledge about light goose ecology and management in the Kivalliq region. Here, we explore the potential of collaborative research for mobilizing Inuit knowledge to support informed and inclusive decision-making about wildlife resources. First, we describe the participatory research methods employed to explore Inuit-identified management recommendations for light geese and engage co-management partners and research contributors to explore select management options. Then, we present these light goose management recommendations and options. Lastly, we discuss opportunities and challenges around the use of collaborative research to support wildlife co-management and Inuit self-determination. Inuit nunaqaqtut Nunavuumi angunasuksimalirmata kanguqpangnik kangurniglu nunaqarvingita sanianni araagunik unuqtunnik. Inuit qaujimaningat ilaqaqpuq aturnilingnik kanguit niqinginnik mianirijauninginniklu tusaumatitaulutik qaujisarningit mianiriyaunigillu. Taimangat 1970s atuqtilugit, kanguit unirningit (kanguit amma kanguaryuit Inuktut; Chen caerulescens (Linnaeus, 1758) amma Chen rossii (Cassin, 1861)) ayunganaqtukut pisimangmata unulialiqlutik amma niqiqatiarungnauqlutik Kanataup uqiuktaqtunngani. Tamana piblugu Inuit uumayuliriyillu isumaalulirmata kanguit unulualirninginnik, taima qaujisarnirmik pigialauqpugut Arvianni and Sallim (Coral Harbour), Nunavuumi, aulataulutik amma qaujisagaulutik Inuit kaujimajagit kangurnik Kivallirmi. Tavani atuqtuuluaqtunik qaujisarnirmut mianiqsinirmullu pitaqaqpuq Inuit nagminiq isumaliurlutik nirjutinut atugaksanullu. Sivullirmik, qaujisarniup qanuinninga isumagilugu kanguit mianirijauninginut. Amma suli, uqausirilirlugu kanguit mianirijauningat atugaujuuluaqtullu. Kingulirmik, uqausirilugu atuinnaujut amma ajurutaujut qaujisarniup iluanni nirjutinik amma Inuit nagminiq aulatuulualirninginnik.

Experimental tests of water chemistry response to ornithological eutrophication: biological implications in Arctic freshwaters

Many populations of Arctic-breeding geese have increased in abundance in recent decades, and in the Canadian Arctic, snow geese (Chen caerulescens) and Ross's geese (Chen rossii) are formally considered overabundant by wildlife managers. The impacts of these overabundant geese on terrestrial habitats are well documented, and, more recently, studies have suggested impacts on freshwater ecosystems as well. The direct contribution of nutrients from goose faeces to water chemistry could have cascading effects on biological functioning, through changes in phytoplankton biovolumes and community composition. We demonstrated previously that goose faeces can enrich ponds with nutrients at a landscape scale. Here, we show experimentally that goose droppings rapidly released nitrogen and phosphorus when submerged in freshwater, increasing the dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. This resulted in both a decrease in the nitrogen:phosphorus ratio and an increase in cyanobacteria in the goose dropping treatment. In contrast, this pattern was not found when we submerged cut sedge (Carex sp.) leaves. These results demonstrate that geese act as bio-vectors, causing terrestrial nutrients to be bioavailable in freshwater systems. Collectively, the results demonstrate the direct ecological consequences of ornithological nutrient loading from hyper-abundant geese in Arctic freshwater ecosystems.

Experimental tests of phytoplankton response to ornithological eutrophication in Arctic freshwaters

Many populations of Arctic-breeding geese have increased in abundance in recent decades, and in the Canadian Arctic, Snow (Chen caerulescens) and Ross’ Geese (Chen rossii) are formally considered overabundant by wildlife managers. The impacts of these overabundant geese on terrestrial habitats are well documented, and more recently, studies have suggested impacts to freshwater ecosystems as well. The direct contribution of nutrients from goose faeces to water chemistry could have cascading effects on biological functioning, through changes in phytoplankton productivity and community composition. We demonstrated previously that goose faeces can enrich ponds with nutrients at a landscape scale. Here, we show experimentally that goose droppings rapidly released nitrogen and phosphorus when submerged in freshwater, increasing the dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. This resulted in both a decrease in the nitrogen:phosphorus ratio and an increase in cyanobacteria in the goose dropping treatment. In contrast, this pattern was not found when we submerged cut sedge (Carex sp.) leaves. These results demonstrate that geese act as biovectors, causing terrestrial nutrients to be bioavailable in freshwater systems. Collectively, the results demonstrate the direct ecological consequences of ornithological nutrient loading from hyperabundant geese in Arctic freshwater ecosystems.

The case of the blood-covered egg: ectoparasite abundance in an arctic goose colony

Since 1991, blood-covered eggs have been noted in nests of Ross’s ( Chen rossii (Cassin, 1861)) and lesser snow ( Chen caerulescens caerulescens (L., 1758)) geese at the Karrak Lake colony, Nunavut, Canada. Fleas ( Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus (Boheman, 1866)) were subsequently observed to be associated with goose nests containing eggs covered with dried blood. We examined prevalence of blood presence on goose eggs and extent of egg coverage with blood in goose nests from 2001 to 2004. Flea abundance in nests was estimated in 2003 and 2004, and was strongly correlated with the proportion of goose egg surface covered by blood, suggesting that degree of blood coverage was a suitable index of flea abundance. Extent of blood fluctuated annually and was correlated with both host characteristics and host habitat factors. Nest bowls used by geese in previous years contained more fleas than did new nest bowls, and fleas were more abundant in older areas of the colony. Flea abundance increased with goose clutch size and was highest in rock and birch habitats. Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus appears to be a new parasite of geese at Karrak Lake; flea abundance may change in response to increased availability of favorable habitat, which is expected if local climate warms.

Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens caerulescens, and Ross's Geese, Chen rossii, of Jenny Lind Island, Nunavut

We surveyed the Lesser Snow (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and Ross’s geese (Chen rossii) of Jenny Lind Island, Nunavut, using aerial photography in June 1988, 1998, and 2006, and a visual helicopter transect survey in July 1990. The estimated number of nesting geese was 39 154 ± SE 2238 in 1988, 19 253 ± 2323 in 1998, and 21 572 ± 1898 in 2006. In 1988 an estimated 2.7% of the nesting geese were Ross’s. The July 1990 population of adult-plumaged birds was 25 020 ± 3114. The estimated percentage blue morph among Snow and Ross’s geese was 19.0% in 1988, 25.1% in 1989, 23.0% in 1990 and 21.1% in 2006. Estimated pre-fledged Snow Goose productivity was 47% young in 1989 and 46% in 1990. Combined numbers of Snow and Ross’s geese on Jenny Lind Island grew over 250 fold, from 210 adults in 1962-1966 to 54 100 adults in 1985. Numbers subsequently declined, to 42 200 in 1988, 25 000 in 1990, 20 300 in 1998, and 26 400 in 2006. Population decline between 1985 and 1990 was consistent with anecdotal reports by others that die-offs of Snow Geese occurred in 1984, 1985 and 1989, and with our August 1989 fieldwork which found evidence of habitat degradation and malnourishment of young geese. In spite of limited food resources on Jenny Lind Island, the colony continued to exist in 2006 at near its 1990 and 1998 levels. Further studies there could provide insights for management of the overabundant mid-continent Snow Goose population and its arctic habitats.