Comparing Migration Ecology Among Geographically Distinct Populations of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) and Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii).

Comparing Migration Ecology Among Geographically Distinct Populations of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) and Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii). PDF Author: Leanne Neufeld
Publisher:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Migration timing is important to the reproductive success of birds, as mismatches with peak food abundance can lead to reduced fitness and population declines. Birds breeding at northern latitudes may be more susceptible to the effects of climate change, as narrower seasonality farther north can result in timing mismatches for birds that may rely more on endogenous cues to migrate. Few studies have used direct-tracking methods on waterfowl to compare differences in migration ecology across a latitudinal gradient. Spatiotemporal tracking data can also be useful for conservation and management of waterfowl. Giant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis maxima) are increasing in numbers, to the point where they are declared overabundant. Special hunting seasons may be opened to increase harvest of this subspecies, but care must be taken to avoid non-target goose populations. My first objective was to use direct-tracking data to examine differences in migration timing and rate between three goose populations: giant Canada Geese, Southern Hudson Bay Canada Geese (B. c. interior), and Cackling Geese breeding across a broad latitudinal range (49-65 degrees). My second objective was to apply my findings in relation to conserving and managing overabundant Canada Geese, and whether spring migration in overabundant Giant Canada Geese and less abundant Cackling Geese overlap with the proposed spring hunting season (March 1 to March 31). I found that southern-breeding geese migrated earlier and with more variation in spring compared to more northern-breeding geese, and in fall the northern-breeding geese migrated earlier compared to more southern-breeding geese. I also found that all three goose populations were in Manitoba during the fall hunting season, and about 9% of Giant Canada Geese were in Manitoba during the proposed spring hunting season. Increasing our knowledge of migration ecology in waterfowl can be useful in conservation of species that may be susceptible to the effects of climate change, or managing species that are increasing in numbers in which timing data can aid decisions to open special hunting seasons to increase harvest rates.

Comparing Migration Ecology Among Geographically Distinct Populations of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) and Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii).

Comparing Migration Ecology Among Geographically Distinct Populations of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) and Cackling Geese (Branta Hutchinsii). PDF Author: Leanne Neufeld
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Migration timing is important to the reproductive success of birds, as mismatches with peak food abundance can lead to reduced fitness and population declines. Birds breeding at northern latitudes may be more susceptible to the effects of climate change, as narrower seasonality farther north can result in timing mismatches for birds that may rely more on endogenous cues to migrate. Few studies have used direct-tracking methods on waterfowl to compare differences in migration ecology across a latitudinal gradient. Spatiotemporal tracking data can also be useful for conservation and management of waterfowl. Giant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis maxima) are increasing in numbers, to the point where they are declared overabundant. Special hunting seasons may be opened to increase harvest of this subspecies, but care must be taken to avoid non-target goose populations. My first objective was to use direct-tracking data to examine differences in migration timing and rate between three goose populations: giant Canada Geese, Southern Hudson Bay Canada Geese (B. c. interior), and Cackling Geese breeding across a broad latitudinal range (49-65 degrees). My second objective was to apply my findings in relation to conserving and managing overabundant Canada Geese, and whether spring migration in overabundant Giant Canada Geese and less abundant Cackling Geese overlap with the proposed spring hunting season (March 1 to March 31). I found that southern-breeding geese migrated earlier and with more variation in spring compared to more northern-breeding geese, and in fall the northern-breeding geese migrated earlier compared to more southern-breeding geese. I also found that all three goose populations were in Manitoba during the fall hunting season, and about 9% of Giant Canada Geese were in Manitoba during the proposed spring hunting season. Increasing our knowledge of migration ecology in waterfowl can be useful in conservation of species that may be susceptible to the effects of climate change, or managing species that are increasing in numbers in which timing data can aid decisions to open special hunting seasons to increase harvest rates.

Towards Conservation of the Diversity of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis)

Towards Conservation of the Diversity of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) PDF Author: Canadian Wildlife Service
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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This is a compilation of papers on the ecology of the Canada goose populations, beginning with a paper on the diversity of this species and the status of its different populations in North America. The remaining papers concern populations breeding in the Arctic, subarctic & boreal regions, and temperate regions. Topics covered include population status, distribution, survival, behaviour, surveys, breeding & nesting ecology, monitoring, and management.

Influence of Sympatric Lesser Snow Geese (Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens) on Reproductive Performance, Behavior, and Food Habits of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Interior) on Akimiski Island, Nunavut

Influence of Sympatric Lesser Snow Geese (Chen Caerulescens Caerulescens) on Reproductive Performance, Behavior, and Food Habits of Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Interior) on Akimiski Island, Nunavut PDF Author: Jeffrey Scott Gleason
Publisher: Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
ISBN:
Category : Bird populations
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Research on Akimiski Island, Nunavut, indicates declining numbers of nesting Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) while increases have been documented for number of breeding Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens). Low direct recovery rates of goslings is suggestive of late-summer mortality which may be limiting recruitment for Canada geese on Akimiski Island. This study was designed specifically to (1) compare Canada Goose reproductive performance, incubation and brood-rearing behavior in areas of allopatry and sympatry and with Lesser Snow Geese, (2) determine if there are differences in diets of Canada Geese in areas of allopatry and sympatry, and (3) determine if there are differences in diets of Canada and Lesser Snow Geese in the area of sympatry. I documented annual variation for all and spatial variation for some reproductive parameters measured. Results of between-area comparisons of reproductive performance tended to suggest that in some years, Canada Geese nesting in the area of sympatry contribute little towards the maintenance of the island segment of this population. During incubation when females were on nests, male behavior varied as a function of year, area, time-of-day, and incubation stage. Overall, male Canada Geese allocated their time primarily to vigilance, feeding, and resting when females were on the nest. Males in the area of allopatry were more vigilant and fed less compared to males in the area of sympatry. When females were on the nest, their behavior varied relative to time-of-day, incubation stage, and temperature. Females in the area of allopatry were more vigilant than females in the area of sympatry, but overall, females on the nest allocated their time primarily to resting and maintenance. Recess behavior of Canada Geese varied relative to sex, incubation stage, and temperature, but not area, though pairs in the area of allopatry tended to spend more time alert and less time feeding compared to pairs in the area of sympatry. During recesses, males allocated their time primarily to vigilance, whereas females allocated nearly equal proportions of time to feeding and maintenance. Overall, brood-rearing behavior varied relative to year, area, time-of-day, sex/age class, days since peak hatch, brood size, brood density, and temperature. Overall, results are indicative of exploitation competition and I suggest that present foraging conditions are insufficient to meet the energetic demands of breeding Canada Geese, as well as breeding and staging Lesser Snow Geese, molt-migrant Giant Canada Geese, and staging Atlantic Brant. Such an energy deficit is particularly detrimental to the growth and development of Canada Goose goslings resulting in locally poor recruitment which presumably will lead to a much depressed breeding population of Canada Geese on Akimiski Island. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Canada Geese of the Atlantic Flyway

Canada Geese of the Atlantic Flyway PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Canada goose
Languages : en
Pages : 124

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Migration and Wintering Ecology of the Aleutian Canada Goose

Migration and Wintering Ecology of the Aleutian Canada Goose PDF Author: Dennis W. Woolington
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Birds
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Conservation Assessment for the Dusky Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis Occidentalis Baird)

Conservation Assessment for the Dusky Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis Occidentalis Baird) PDF Author: Robert Graham H. Bromley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Canada goose
Languages : en
Pages : 92

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The Implications of Agriculture in Interior Alaska for Population Dynamics of Canada Geese (branta Canadensis)

The Implications of Agriculture in Interior Alaska for Population Dynamics of Canada Geese (branta Canadensis) PDF Author: Michael William Eichholz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural ecology
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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"Understanding how environmental change affects demography is essential for understanding and managing populations. An anthropogenic change in the environment that has affected wildlife populations is widespread agricultural development. Agriculture has both negatively and positively impacted abundance of species by affecting a variety of vital rates that influence population abundance. In this study, I describe the migration ecology of Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) that nest and stage in Interior Alaska. I also describe how the introduction of agriculture has potentially positively impacted population dynamics of Canada geese by increasing nutrient acquisition, thereby improving their fecundity and survival. Two subspecies of Canada geese used Interior Alaska for staging and at least partially segregated themselves during spring and fall staging. I documented a difference in survival between two age classes of Canada geese, primarily lesser Canada geese (B. c. parvipes), and attributed it to the higher susceptibility to harvest of hatch-year (HY) geese. Estimates of annual survival of Canada geese in this study are among the lowest, and estimates of recovery rates are among the highest, for a migratory population of geese, likely due to behavioral traits and habitat selection that make lesser Canada geese more susceptible to harvest. Survival of after-hatch-year (AHY) female Canada geese was positively associated with the amount of endogenous nutrient reserves females had at the time of banding in fall. An experimental manipulation of nutrient reserves, however, suggested that the association between nutrient reserves and survival results from variation in individual quality (not measured), not a direct relationship between nutrient reserves and survival. Female geese in our study gained fat and minerals, but not protein, during spring staging. Fall staging geese had fat levels greater than or equal to spring staging geese, suggesting fat reserves are important during early fall staging in this population of geese. Although I concluded that the introduction of agriculture has likely increased fecundity and decreased natural mortality in Canada geese that stage and breed in Interior Alaska, I also concluded that mortality due to harvest is sufficient to offset those changes, preventing an increase in the population"--Leaves iii-iv

Reproductive Ecology, Bioenergetics, and Experimental Removal of Local Giant Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Maxima) in Central Missouri

Reproductive Ecology, Bioenergetics, and Experimental Removal of Local Giant Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis Maxima) in Central Missouri PDF Author: John Matthew Coluccy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bioenergetics
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Populations of Giant Canada Geese (Branta canadensis maxima) have increased dramatically throughout most of the Mississippi Flyway. This population expansion has been accompanied by an increase in goose-related problems, including depredation of agricultural crops, airport hazards, fecal contamination of water used for drinking or swimming, and damage to lawns, parks, beaches, and golf courses, caused by overgrazing, trampling, feathers, and defecation. Failure to control giant Canada goose populations through traditional harvest methods such as hunting, has prompted interest in alternative harvest methods (nest manipulations, welfare harvest, and nesting female harvest) as a means of reducing goose numbers. The intent of this research was to generate long-term reproductive, survival and bioenergetics data and to utilize these data to develop a population model specific to Missouri Giant Canada Geese. The model was then used to identify population parameters that most influence population growth and to evaluate proposed management actions. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the effect of adult survival on population growth was much greater than any other population parameter. Alternative harvest simulations indicated that nesting female harvest was the most effective means of reducing populations to statewide management objectives. From a management perspective, our results indicate that efforts to control numbers of giant Canada geese should focus on reducing adult survival, in particular adult female survival. It is unlikely that the required reduction in adult survival necessary to reach management objectives will be achieved through traditional harvest methods. Therefore, a combination of non-hunting lethal alternatives will be required.

Population Genetic Structure and Breeding Philopatric Behavior of Cackling Canada Geese

Population Genetic Structure and Breeding Philopatric Behavior of Cackling Canada Geese PDF Author: Ada Christine Fowler
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 144

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Perspective

Perspective PDF Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Animal populations
Languages : en
Pages : 14

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