Geology topics

Donald H. Rusch

Publications and source records attributed to Donald H. Rusch.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1995

Canada geese in North America

Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) are probably more abundant now than at any time in history. They rank first among wildlife watchers and second among harvests of waterfowl species in North America. Canada geese are also the most widely distributed and phenotypically (visible characteristics of the birds) variable species of bird in North America. Breeding populations now exist in every province and territory of Canada and in 49 of the 50 United States. The size of the 12 recognized subspecies range from 1.4 kg (3-lb) cackling Canada goose ( B.c. minima ) to the 5.0 kg (11-lb) giant Canada goose ( B.c. maxima ; Delacour 1954; Bellrose 1976). Market hunting and poor stewardship led to record low numbers of geese in the early 1900's, but regulated seasons including closures, refuges, and law enforcement led to restoration of most populations. Winter surveys were begun to study population trends and set responsible harvest regulations for these long-lived and diverse birds. Winter surveys begun in 1936-37 probably represent the oldest continuing index of migratory birds in North America.

Book chapter↗

USGS1995

Changes in nesting behavior of arctic geese

As part of the joint United States-Canada efforts to monitor populations of Arctic geese and to provide data necessary to set hunting regulations, scientists have recorded not only goose population levels, but also nesting behavior. MacInnes et al. (1990) analyzed data from four long-term studies of five different Arctic goose populations. These studies documented the date the eggs hatched and the clutch size (number of eggs per nest) over 35 years (Fig. 1). The dates of nest initiation and hatch are clearly affected by climate and are delayed by cold weather. The records not only show wide fluctuations from year to year in response to annual variations in climate, but also demonstrate a consistent trend toward earlier hatching over the period (Fig. 2). Young Arctic geese today, on the average, hatch about 30 days earlier than they did 35 years ago; during the same time, average clutch size has shrunk (Fig. 3). MacInnes et al. (1990) suggest the change in nest date is a result of climatic amelioration, that is, warming (although whether from a long-term trend or short-term cycle is unclear), and the change in clutch size is a result of habitat deterioration.

Book chapter↗

USGS1991

Fall and winter distribution of Canada geese in the Mississippi flyway

Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) from northern Manitoba and northern Ontario were marked with leg bands and neck bands and observed throughout the Mississippi flyway from 1978 to 1989. We used observations of neck-banded geese within each state to determine the relative fall/winter distribution of the Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) and the Mississippi Valley Population (MVP). Mississippi Valley geese were affiliated with states east of the Mississippi River; EPP geese were affiliated with states west of the Mississippi River. However, we found geographic differences in population distribution within several states. Significant annual changes in distribution also occurred in most states. Management of Mississippi flyway geese should consider the differences in both population dynamics and spatial and temporal distributions of MVP and EPP geese in determining state and flyway harvest objectives.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗

USGS1990

Neck-band retention for Canada geese in the Mississippi flyway

We used capture, harvest, and observation histories of Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) banded in the Mississippi flyway, 1974-88, to examine the problem of neck-band retention. Methods for the analysis of survival data were used to estimate rates of neck-band retention and to evaluate factors associated with neck-band loss. Sex, age of bird at banding, rivet use, and neck-band type significantly influenced neck-band retention. For most of the resulting cohorts (e.g., sex, age, rivet, and neck-band type categories), neck-band retention rates decreased through time. We caution against using small samples or data collected during short-term studies to determine retention rates. We suggest that observation data be used in neck-band retention studies to increase the efficiency of estimating retention time.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗