Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management
The adaptation of birds to urban environments has created direct hazards to air transportation with the potential for catastrophic incidents. Bird–aircraft collisions involving Canada geese (Branta canadensis; goose) pose greater risks to aircraft than many bird species due to their size and flockin...
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Utah State University
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:15727b9bf6234609b205466ab2340c74 2023-05-15T15:46:17+02:00 Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management Ryan J. Askren Brett E. Dorak Heath M. Hagy Michael W. Eiccholz Brian E. Washburn Michael P. Ward 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.26077/yv1k-dg31 https://doaj.org/article/15727b9bf6234609b205466ab2340c74 EN eng Utah State University https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol13/iss2/18 https://doaj.org/toc/2155-3874 doi:10.26077/yv1k-dg31 2155-3874 https://doaj.org/article/15727b9bf6234609b205466ab2340c74 Human-Wildlife Interactions, Vol 13, Iss 2 (2019) aviation safety bird–aircraft collision branta canadensis canada geese human–wildlife conflicts global positioning system satellite transmitters illinois risk mitigation spatial data Environmental sciences GE1-350 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 article 2019 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.26077/yv1k-dg31 2022-12-31T08:32:36Z The adaptation of birds to urban environments has created direct hazards to air transportation with the potential for catastrophic incidents. Bird–aircraft collisions involving Canada geese (Branta canadensis; goose) pose greater risks to aircraft than many bird species due to their size and flocking behavior. However, information on factors driving movements of geese near airports and within aircraft arrival/departure areas for application to management are limited. To address this need, we deployed 31 neck collar-mounted global positioning system transmitters on Canada geese near Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, USA during November 2015 to February 2016. We used the movement data obtained to model environmental and behavioral factors influencing the intersection of goose movements (i.e., transition from 1 location to another) with air operations areas (i.e., aircraft flight paths). Of 3,008 goose movements recorded, 821 intersected a 3-km buffer around the airport representing U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recommended distances from wildlife attractants, and 399 intersected flight paths for approaching and landing aircraft. The effects of weather (i.e., snow cover, temperature, wind speed) on the probability of geese flying varied with different air operation areas while certain habitat resources greatly increased the probability of intersection. For example, the juxtaposition of foraging (railyards with spilled grain) and loafing areas (rooftops) near the airport led to a higher probability of movements intersecting important air operations areas. The average altitude of flying geese was 29.8 m above the ground, resulting in the greatest risk of collision being within 0.5 km of the end of runways. We suggest airport goose collision mitigation management actions, such as reducing habitat resources near the airport and using focused nonlethal harassment or physical modifications, when guided by animal movement data, may further mitigate bird-strike risks. Article in Journal/Newspaper Branta canadensis Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Canada |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
aviation safety bird–aircraft collision branta canadensis canada geese human–wildlife conflicts global positioning system satellite transmitters illinois risk mitigation spatial data Environmental sciences GE1-350 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 |
spellingShingle |
aviation safety bird–aircraft collision branta canadensis canada geese human–wildlife conflicts global positioning system satellite transmitters illinois risk mitigation spatial data Environmental sciences GE1-350 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 Ryan J. Askren Brett E. Dorak Heath M. Hagy Michael W. Eiccholz Brian E. Washburn Michael P. Ward Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management |
topic_facet |
aviation safety bird–aircraft collision branta canadensis canada geese human–wildlife conflicts global positioning system satellite transmitters illinois risk mitigation spatial data Environmental sciences GE1-350 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 |
description |
The adaptation of birds to urban environments has created direct hazards to air transportation with the potential for catastrophic incidents. Bird–aircraft collisions involving Canada geese (Branta canadensis; goose) pose greater risks to aircraft than many bird species due to their size and flocking behavior. However, information on factors driving movements of geese near airports and within aircraft arrival/departure areas for application to management are limited. To address this need, we deployed 31 neck collar-mounted global positioning system transmitters on Canada geese near Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, USA during November 2015 to February 2016. We used the movement data obtained to model environmental and behavioral factors influencing the intersection of goose movements (i.e., transition from 1 location to another) with air operations areas (i.e., aircraft flight paths). Of 3,008 goose movements recorded, 821 intersected a 3-km buffer around the airport representing U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recommended distances from wildlife attractants, and 399 intersected flight paths for approaching and landing aircraft. The effects of weather (i.e., snow cover, temperature, wind speed) on the probability of geese flying varied with different air operation areas while certain habitat resources greatly increased the probability of intersection. For example, the juxtaposition of foraging (railyards with spilled grain) and loafing areas (rooftops) near the airport led to a higher probability of movements intersecting important air operations areas. The average altitude of flying geese was 29.8 m above the ground, resulting in the greatest risk of collision being within 0.5 km of the end of runways. We suggest airport goose collision mitigation management actions, such as reducing habitat resources near the airport and using focused nonlethal harassment or physical modifications, when guided by animal movement data, may further mitigate bird-strike risks. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Ryan J. Askren Brett E. Dorak Heath M. Hagy Michael W. Eiccholz Brian E. Washburn Michael P. Ward |
author_facet |
Ryan J. Askren Brett E. Dorak Heath M. Hagy Michael W. Eiccholz Brian E. Washburn Michael P. Ward |
author_sort |
Ryan J. Askren |
title |
Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management |
title_short |
Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management |
title_full |
Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management |
title_fullStr |
Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management |
title_full_unstemmed |
Tracking Canada Geese Near Airports: Using Spatial Data to Better Inform Management |
title_sort |
tracking canada geese near airports: using spatial data to better inform management |
publisher |
Utah State University |
publishDate |
2019 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.26077/yv1k-dg31 https://doaj.org/article/15727b9bf6234609b205466ab2340c74 |
geographic |
Canada |
geographic_facet |
Canada |
genre |
Branta canadensis |
genre_facet |
Branta canadensis |
op_source |
Human-Wildlife Interactions, Vol 13, Iss 2 (2019) |
op_relation |
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol13/iss2/18 https://doaj.org/toc/2155-3874 doi:10.26077/yv1k-dg31 2155-3874 https://doaj.org/article/15727b9bf6234609b205466ab2340c74 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.26077/yv1k-dg31 |
_version_ |
1766380982788685824 |