K.L. Kruse | Geology Reports

USGS2006

Spatial use by wintering greater white-fronted geese relative to a decade of habitat change in California's Central Valley

We investigated the effect of recent habitat changes in California's Central Valley on wintering Pacific greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) by comparing roost-to-feed distances, distributions, population range sizes, and habitat use during 1987-1990 and 1998-2000. These habitat changes included wetland restoration and agricultural land enhancement due to the 1990 implementation of the Central Valley Joint Venture, increased land area used for rice (Oryza sativa) production, and the practice of flooding, rather than burning, rice straw residues for decomposition because of burning restrictions enacted in 1991. Using radiotelemetry, we tracked 192 female geese and recorded 4,516 locations. Geese traveled shorter distances between roosting and feeding sites during 1998-2000 (24.2 ?? 2.2 km) than during 1987-1990 (32.5 ?? 3.4 km); distance traveled tended to decline throughout winter during both decades and varied among watershed basins. Population range size was smaller during 1998-2000 (3,367 km2) than during 1987-1990 (5,145 km2), despite a 2.2-fold increase in the size of the Pacific Flyway population of white-fronted geese during the same time period. The population range size also tended to increase throughout winter during both decades. Feeding and roosting distributions of geese also differed between decades; geese shifted into basins that had the greatest increases in the amount of area in rice production (i.e., American Basin) and out of other basins (i.e., Delta Basin). The use of rice habitat for roosting (1987-1990: 40%, 1998-2000: 54%) and feeding (1987-1990: 57%, 1998-2000: 72%) increased between decades, whereas use of wetlands declined for roosting (1987-1990: 36%, 1998-2000: 31%) and feeding (1987-1990: 22%, 1998-2000: 12%). Within postharvested rice habitats, geese roosted and fed primarily in burned rice fields during 1987-1990 (roost: 43%, feed: 34%), whereas they used flooded rice fields during 1998-2000 (roost: 78%, feed: 64%). Our results suggest that white-fronted geese have altered their spatial use of California's Central Valley during the past decade in response to changing agricultural practices and the implementation of the Central Valley Joint Venture.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗

USGS2004

Using radiotelemetry to monitor cardiac response of free-living tule greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons elgasi) to human disturbance

We monitored the heart rates of free-living Tule Greater White-fronted Geese ( Anser albifrons elgasi ) during human disturbances on their wintering range in the Sacramento Valley of California during 1997. We used implanted radio transmitters to record the heart rates of geese as an observer experimentally approached them at a constant walking speed. On average, geese flushed when observers were 47 m (range: 25–100 m) away. Change point regression was used to identify the point in time when heart rate abruptly increased prior to flushing and when heart rate began to level off in flight after flushing. Heart rates of geese increased as the observer approached them during five of six disturbance trials, from 114.1 ± 6.6 beats/min during the observer's initial approach to 154.8 ± 7.4 beats/min just prior to flushing at the first change point. On average, goose heart rates began to increase most rapidly 5 sec prior to taking flight, and continued to increase rapidly for 4 sec after flushing until reaching flight speed. Heart rate was 456.2 ± 8.4 beats/min at the second change point, which occurred immediately after flushing, and 448.3 ± 9.5 beats/min 1 min later during flight. Although goose heart rates increased as an observer approached, the largest physiological change occurred during a 9-sec period (range: 1.0–15.7 sec) immediately before and after flushing, when heart rates nearly tripled.

California↗