Distribution, Survival, and Numbers of Lesser Snow Geese of the Western Canadian Arctic and Wrangel Island, Russia

Waterbirds ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 322
Author(s):  
D. N. Nettleship ◽  
R. H. Kerbes ◽  
K. M. Meeres ◽  
J. E. Hines
Keyword(s):  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Wrangel Island ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese

Ross' Goose and Lesser Snow Goose colonies in the central Canadian Arctic

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Kerbes ◽  
M. R. McLandress ◽  
G. E. J. Smith ◽  
G. W. Beyersbergen ◽  
B. Godwin
Keyword(s):  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Snow Goose ◽  
White Phase ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Goose ◽  
Blue Phase ◽  
Nesting Resources ◽  
Anser Rossii

A total of 133 700 nesting Ross' Geese and Lesser Snow Geese (Anser rossii and Anser c. caerulescens), in 30 colonies, were photographed in the central Canadian Arctic, Queen Maud Gulf, N.W.T., in June 1976. Estimated species totals were 77 300 Ross' Geese and 56 400 Lesser Snow Geese (of which 15% were blue phase). Species totals were calculated from a photographic census of all Ross' Geese and white phase Snow Geese combined with assumptions based on the estimated proportion of blue phase Snow Geese in each of the 10 largest colonies and the estimated proportion of Ross' Geese in the largest colony. Comparison with a previous visual nesting inventory suggested that from 1967 to 1976 Ross' Geese doubled in number while Lesser Snow Geese increased fivefold. Nesting resources do not appear to be limited.

Genetic Differentiation between Wintering Populations of Lesser Snow Geese Nesting on Wrangel Island

The Auk ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 1053-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasily V. Baranyuk ◽  
John Y. Takekawa
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Wrangel Island ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese

The embarrassment of riches: agricultural food subsidies, high goose numbers, and loss of Arctic wetlands – a continuing saga

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
R L Jefferies ◽  
R F Rockwell ◽  
K F Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Coastal Marshes ◽  
Migratory Connectivity ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Arctic Wetlands ◽  
Agricultural Food

Agriculture has provided a nutritional subsidy to the Anatidae (swans, geese, ducks), which has affected their trophic relationships and the Arctic wetlands where they breed. The Mid-Continent Population of lesser snow geese, which breeds in the Canadian Arctic and which traditionally wintered in the coastal marshes of the Gulf States, now feeds in agricultural landscapes. The geometric growth of this population since 1970 is coincident with increased application of nitrogen to farmland and high crop yields. Widespread availability of agricultural foods allows the birds to meet much of their energy demand for migration and reproduction. Their migration conforms to a stepping stone model linked to land use, but feeding also takes place upon arrival on the Arctic breeding grounds. High bird numbers have dramatically affected coastal marshes of the Canadian Arctic. Foraging has produced alternative stable states characterized by sward destruction and near irreversible changes in soil properties of exposed sediments. Locally, this loss of resilience has adversely affected different groups of organisms, resulting in an apparent trophic cascade. A spring hunt was introduced in 1999 in an attempt to check population growth. The current annual cull is now thought to be higher than the replacement rate. Much of the decline of the Mid-Continent Population is probably linked to shooting, but the harassment of birds that fail to acquire sufficient food for reproduction may contribute. The agricultural food subsidy has led to a mismatch between this avian herbivore and its environment — a consequence of migratory connectivity that links wintering and breeding grounds. Key words: agricultural crops, lesser snow geese, migratory connectivity, Arctic coastal marshes, grubbing, hypersalinity, the spring hunt.

Population structure of the lesser snow geese of Wrangel Island, Russia

Ecoscience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeny V. Syroechkovsky ◽  
Fred Cooke ◽  
William J. L. Sladen
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Wrangel Island ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese

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.

Weights of Lesser Snow Geese Taken on Their Winter Range

1979 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward L. Flickinger ◽  
Eric G. Bolen
Keyword(s):  
Winter Range ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese

Prediction of reproductive success and failure in lesser snow geese based on early season climatic variables

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Skinner ◽  
R. L. Jefferies ◽  
T. J. Carleton ◽  
R. F. Rockwell&dagger K. F. Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese

Use of Supplemental Food by Breeding Ross's Geese and Lesser Snow Geese: Evidence for Variable Anorexia

The Auk ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Gloutney ◽  
Ray T. Alisauskas ◽  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Alan D. Afton
Keyword(s):  
Supplemental Food ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Ross's Geese
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