ARCTIC Habitat Use by Greater Snow Geese During the Brood-Rearing Period
ABSTRACT. Observations of habitat use by the Greater Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens atlanricus) were conducted at Jungersen Bay, northern Baffin Island, from 27 July- 17 August 1981. Density of geese using the study area was estimated at 425 birds.km-2. The average of 2.8 young per family did not ch...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.561.9281 http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic37-2-155.pdf |
| Summary: | ABSTRACT. Observations of habitat use by the Greater Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens atlanricus) were conducted at Jungersen Bay, northern Baffin Island, from 27 July- 17 August 1981. Density of geese using the study area was estimated at 425 birds.km-2. The average of 2.8 young per family did not change during our study. Non-breeding geese were first observed in flight on I August and were seen regularly until 13 August. Three types of habitat used by geese during the brood-rearing period were distinguished: tidal marshes dominated by Carex subsparhacea and Puccinellia phryganodes; wet moss-covered meadows with up to 5 cm of standing water, dominated by Carex srans, Duponriafisheri, Calamagrosris neglecra, and Arctagrosris latifolia; and, around ponds, bands of vegetation 1-2 m wide dominated by Carex srans. The three most important species of monocots grazed by geese were Puccinelliaphrygwwdes, Carex subspathacea, and C. srans. It is unlikely that habitat and food resources are limiting factors for Greater Snow Geese in the High Arctic during the brood-rearing period. We suggest that potential breeding areas for this species be iden-tified and given special protection. |
|---|