scholarly journals Movements and Habitat Use of White-Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) During the Remigial Molt in Arctic Alaska, USA

Waterbirds ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul L. Flint ◽  
Brandt W. Meixell
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Anser Albifrons ◽  
Arctic Alaska ◽  
Anser Albifrons Frontalis

Fine Scale Movements and Habitat Use of Black Brant During the Flightless Wing Molt in Arctic Alaska

Waterbirds ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Lewis ◽  
Paul L. Flint ◽  
Dirk V. Derksen ◽  
Joel A. Schmutz
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Black Brant ◽  
Arctic Alaska

scholarly journals Strontium isotopes reveal diverse life history variations, migration patterns, and habitat use for Broad Whitefish (Coregonus nasus) in Arctic, Alaska

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C. Leppi ◽  
Daniel J. Rinella ◽  
Mark S. Wipfli ◽  
Randy J. Brown ◽  
Karen J. Spaleta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Arctic Alaska

Conservation of Arctic fish species is challenging partly due to our limited ability to track fish through time and space, which constrains our understanding of life history diversity and lifelong habitat use. Broad Whitefish ( Coregonus nasus ) is an important subsistence species for Alaska’s Arctic Indigenous communities, yet little is known about life history diversity, migration patterns, and freshwater habitat use. Using laser ablation Sr isotope otolith microchemistry, we analyzed Colville River Broad Whitefish 87 Sr/ 86 Sr chronologies (n = 61) to reconstruct movements and habitat use across the lives of individual fish. We found evidence of at least six life history types, including three anadromous types, one semi-anadromous type, and two nonanadromous types. Anadromous life history types comprised a large proportion of individuals sampled (collectively, 59%) and most of these (59%) migrated to sea between ages 0–2 and spent varying durations at sea. The semi-anadromous life history type comprised 28% of samples and entered marine habitat as larvae. Nonanadromous life history types comprised the remainder (collectively, 13%). Otolith 87 Sr/ 86 Sr data from juvenile and adult freshwater stages suggest that habitat use changed in association with age, seasons, and life history strategies. This information on Broad Whitefish life histories and habitat use across time and space will help managers and conservation planners better understand the risks of anthropogenic impacts and help conserve this vital subsistence resource.

scholarly journals Neisseria arctica sp. nov., isolated from nonviable eggs of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) in Arctic Alaska

2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1115-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina M Hansen ◽  
Elizabeth A Himschoot ◽  
Rebekah F Hare ◽  
Brandt W Meixell ◽  
Caroline Van Hemert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anser Albifrons ◽  
Arctic Alaska

scholarly journals Relatedness and Nesting Dispersion within Breeding Populations of Greater White-Fronted Geese

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-607
Author(s):  
Ada C. Fowler ◽  
John M. Eadie ◽  
Craig R. Ely
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Randomization Tests ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Anser Albifrons ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Related Individuals ◽  
Anser Albifrons Frontalis ◽  
Los Grupos

Abstract We studied patterns of relatedness and nesting dispersion in female Pacific Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) in Alaska. Female Greater White-fronted Geese are thought to be strongly philopatric and are often observed nesting in close association with other females. Analysis of the distribution of nests on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in 1998 indicated that nests were significantly clumped. We tested the hypothesis that females in the same nest cluster would be closely related using estimates of genetic relatedness based on six microsatellite DNA loci. There was no difference in the mean relatedness of females in the same cluster compared to females found in different clusters. However, relatedness among females was negatively correlated with distance between their nests, and geese nesting within 50 m of one another tended to be more closely related than those nesting farther apart. Randomization tests revealed that pairs of related individuals (R > 0.45) were more likely to occur in the same cluster when analyzed at the scale of the entire study site. However, the pattern did not hold when restricted to pairs found within 500 m of each other. Our results indicate that nest clusters are not composed primarily of closely related females, but Greater White-fronted Geese appear to be sufficiently philopatric to promote nonrandom patterns of relatedness at a local scale. Parentesco y Dispersión de Nidos en Poblaciones Reproductivas de Anser albifrons frontalis Resumen. Estudiamos los patrones de parentesco y la dispersión de nidos en hembras de Anser albifrons frontalis en Alaska. Se piensa que las hembras de A. a. frontalis son fuertemente filopátricas y frecuentemente se las observa nidificando asociadas de modo cercano con otras hembras. El análisis de la distribución de los nidos en el Delta de Yukon-Kuskokwim en 1998 indicó que los nidos estuvieron significativamente agrupados. Evaluamos la hipótesis de que las hembras en el mismo grupo de nidos estarían cercanamente emparentadas usando estimaciones de parentesco genético basadas en seis loci de ADN microsatelital. No hubo diferencias en el promedio de parentesco de hembras en el mismo grupo comparado con hembras que se encontraron en grupos diferentes. Sin embargo, el parentesco entre las hembras se correlacionó negativamente con la distancia entre los nidos, y los gansos que se encontraban nidificando a menos de 50 m unos de otros tendieron a estar más cercanamente emparentadas que aquellos nidificando más lejos. Análisis de aleatorización revelaron que parejas de individuos emparentados (R > 0.45) presentaron mayor probabilidad de encontrarse en el mismo grupo cuando los análisis se hicieron a la escala de todo el sitio de estudio. Sin embargo, el patrón no se mantuvo cuando los análisis se restringieron a pares ubicados dentro de 500 m uno de otro. Nuestros resultados indican que los grupos de nidos no están primariamente compuestos por hembras cercanamente emparentadas, pero que A. a. frontalis parece ser suficientemente filopátrica como para promover patrones no aleatorios de parentesco a escala local.

Functional and numerical responses of predators to cyclic lemming abundance: effects on loss of goose nests

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah J Wilson ◽  
Robert G Bromley
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Prey ◽  
Canada Geese ◽  
Total Response ◽  
Anser Albifrons ◽  
Arctic Foxes ◽  
Alternative Prey Hypothesis ◽  
Lemming Abundance ◽  
Anser Albifrons Frontalis ◽  
Goose Eggs ◽  
Nest Loss

The alternative-prey hypothesis predicts that predation on goose eggs will be most severe the year following a lemming peak. We tested this by investigating how predators of goose eggs responded to lemming abundance on the Kent Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada, where nest success of white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis hutchinsii) fluctuates widely. The main predators of both goose eggs and lemmings are arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus), glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus), and parasitic jaegers (Stercorarius parasiticus). Foxes responded functionally to lemming density: in prime goose-nesting areas they spent less time foraging during the peak lemming year than during the increase, and were seen foraging in prime nesting areas less often during the peak than during the decline. However, numbers of fox sightings in the study area during the nesting period did not differ significantly among years. The total response (functional × numerical) of gulls was lowest at the lemming peak and highest during the increase. The total response of parasitic jaegers did not vary significantly among years. Hence, we predicted that the number of nests lost to all predators combined should be lowest at the peak and possibly highest during the increase. During the 3 years of this study, loss of Canada goose nests was lowest at the peak but highest during the decline, and annual losses of white-fronted goose nests varied little. In cycles prior to this study, nest loss was high in declines but not particularly low during peaks. Several factors may alter the functional and numerical responses of predators, obscuring the simple pattern of nest loss predicted by the alternative-prey hypothesis.

scholarly journals Assessment of Effects of an Oil Pipeline on Caribou, Rangifer tarandus granti, Use of Riparian Habitats in Arctic Alaska, 2001-2003

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn E. Noel ◽  
Matthew K. Butcher ◽  
Matthew A. Cronin ◽  
Bill Streever
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Oil Pipeline ◽  
Arctic Alaska ◽  
Riparian Habitats ◽  
Use Behavior

Elevated oil field pipelines may alter Caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) movements and delay or prevent access to insect relief habitat. In an attempt to determine if the 40-km elevated Badami pipeline in northern Alaska changed Caribou use of riparian habitats at the three river crossings where the pipeline is buried, we quantified Caribou habitat use at all three crossings using time-lapse video cameras and aerial distribution surveys over three summers. We compared habitat use, behavior and duration of observations among pipeline and non-pipeline sites. We used a block experimental design with cameras at four sites at the three river crossings to evaluate differences in numbers of Caribou per day at pipeline and non-pipeline sites. At each crossing, four cameras were positioned, with one pair of cameras next to the pipeline (pipeline sites) and one pair of cameras 1.8-3.2 km upstream from the pipeline (non-pipeline sites); where cameras monitored the river bank and channel (river habitat) and the tundra within about 200 m of the river (tundra habitat). Peak numbers of Caribou per day occurred during early July 2003 and mid-July 2001 and 2002. Large numbers of Caribou recorded north of the pipeline during aerial surveys did not usually correspond with increased number per day recorded by cameras suggesting Caribou probably also crossed the pipeline outside of the riparian areas. We assessed local changes in riparian habitat use by comparing the numbers of Caribou per day in river and tundra habitats at pipeline and non-pipeline sites and found no difference. We assessed regional changes in riparian habitat use by comparing numbers of Caribou per day at pipeline sites and at non-pipeline sites and found no difference. Caribou groups spent an average of 1 minute longer at tundra pipeline sites and groups spent 30 seconds longer feeding and trotting at pipeline sites, but these differences were not significant.

scholarly journals Variation in Age Ratio of Midcontinent Greater White-Fronted Geese During Fall Migration

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 340-347
Author(s):  
Wade G. Schock ◽  
Julian B. Fischer ◽  
Craig R. Ely ◽  
Robert A. Stehn ◽  
Jeffrey M. Welker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Migration Period ◽  
Anser Albifrons ◽  
Staging Area ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
Age Ratio ◽  
Timing Of Migration ◽  
Anser Albifrons Frontalis ◽  
Family Groups

Abstract Annual productivity is an important parameter for the management of waterfowl populations. Fall age ratio (juveniles:total birds) is an index of productivity of the preceding breeding season. However, differences in the timing of migration between family groups and nonbreeding birds may bias age-ratio estimates. We examined temporal variation in age ratios of midcontinent greater white-fronted geese Anser albifrons frontalis from interior and northwestern Alaska at a northern autumn staging area near Delta Junction, Alaska. Photographic sampling conducted near Delta Junction resulted in an annual age ratio of 0.388 ± 0.004 (mean ± SE) in 2010 and 0.390 ± 0.001 in 2011. Our study demonstrated temporal variation in age ratios over the duration of the migration period during August and September. We recommend that sampling be conducted for 3-d periods at the beginning, middle, and end of the migration period to account for temporal variation in migration of family groups.

scholarly journals Contrasting habitat use and conservation status of Chinese-wintering and other Eurasian Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueqin Deng ◽  
Qingshan Zhao ◽  
Junjian Zhang ◽  
Andrea Kölzsch ◽  
Diana Solovyeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Yangtze River ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
The Yangtze River ◽  
River Floodplain ◽  
Anser Albifrons

Abstract Background GPS/GSM tracking data were used to contrast use of (i) habitats and (ii) protected areas between three Arctic-nesting Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons, GWFG) populations throughout the annual cycle. We wished to demonstrate that the East Asian Continental Population (which winters on natural wetlands in the Chinese Yangtze River floodplain and is currently declining) avoids using farmland at multiple wintering sites. We also gathered tracking evidence to support general observations from two increasing population of GWFG, the North Sea-Baltic (which winters in Europe) and the West Pacific (which winter in Korea and Japan) winter mostly within farmland landscapes, using wetlands only for safe night roosts. Methods We tracked 156 GWFG throughout their annual cycle using GPS/GSM transmitters from these three populations to determine migration routes and stopover staging patterns. We used Brownian Bridge Movement Models to generate summer, winter and migration stopover home ranges which we then overlaid in GIS with land cover and protected area boundary at national level to determine habitat use and degree of protection from nature conservation designated areas. Results Data confirmed that 73% of European wintering GWFG homes ranges were from within farmland, compared to 59% in Japan and Korea, but just 5% in China, confirming the heavy winter use of agricultural landscapes by GWFG away from China, and avoidance of farmland at multiple sites within the Yangtze River floodplain. The same GWFG used farmland in northeast China in spring and autumn, confirming their experience of exploiting such habitats at other stages of their annual cycle. Chinese wintering birds showed the greatest overlap with protected areas of all three populations, showing current levels of site safeguard are failing to protect this population. Conclusions Results confirm the need for strategic planning to protect the East Asian Continental GWFG population. While the site protection network in place to protect the species seems adequate, it has failed to stop the declines. Buffalo grazing could serve as one simple strategy to improve the condition of feeding habitats at Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake in the Yangtze, where vast Carex meadows exist. In addition, while we warn against pushing GWFG to winter farmland feeding in China because of the long-term potential to conflict with agricultural interests, we recommend experimental sacrificial, disturbance-free farmland within designated refuge areas adjacent to the Yangtze River floodplain wetland reserves as a manipulative experiment to improve the conservation status of this population in years when natural food sources are limited.

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