Comparison of the Nutrient Contents of the Principal Forage Plants Utilized by Lesser Snow Geese on Summer Breeding Grounds

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. L. Gadallah ◽  
R. L. Jefferies
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Forage Plants ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Breeding Grounds

Nutrient reserve dynamics of lesser snow geese staging at James Bay, Ontario

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald C. P. Wypkema ◽  
C. Davison Ankney
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
James Bay ◽  
Fat Reserves ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Nutrient Reserve ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Juvenile Males

We compared mean body weights, nutrient reserves (fat and protein), and an index of feeding of lesser snow geese arriving at and leaving southern James Bay in spring and fall 1976. Feeding increased in spring and decreased in fall. Body weight and protein of adults increased in spring, and fat reserves were maintained. The protein increase of adult females was equivalent to the protein in one egg. Ovarian follicular development in adult females appeared to proceed as reserves became available. Juvenile males had completed body growth by the end of the fall staging period but juvenile females had not. Fat and protein reserves of adults arriving on James Bay in the fall were significantly larger than those of adults after wing molt on the breeding grounds. Fat reserves of adults and juveniles increased significantly during the fall; body weight of juvenile females increased also. The fat gain greatly increases the theoretical maximum flight range of the geese and we suggest it is an important determinant of normal fall migration.

Growth of Lesser Snow Geese on Arctic Breeding Grounds

The Condor ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Aubin ◽  
E. H. Dunn ◽  
C. D. MacInnes
Keyword(s):  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Breeding Grounds

Feeding and Digestive Organ Size in Breeding Lesser Snow Geese

The Auk ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Ankney
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Organ Size ◽  
Digestive Organs ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Lesser Snow Geese ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Incubation Feeding ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract The Lesser Snow Geese that nest at the McConnell River, Northwest Territories, feed heavily before arriving on the breeding grounds. During laying and early incubation, feeding declines to low levels but increases slightly during late incubation. After their eggs hatch the geese greatly increase their food intake. These changes in feeding activity are correlated with changes in the average sizes of four digestive organs (pancreas, liver, gizzard, and intestine). The large digestive organs characteristic of arriving and post-hatch geese are due to hyperphagia. Previously reported situations that produced decreased size of avian digestive organs did not account for that condition in incubating geese. The decrease in size of digestive organs during incubation is claimed to be innate; its evolution is discussed.

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.

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

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
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