Adult survival and per-capita production of young explain dynamics of a long-lived goose population

TY - JOUR

T1 - Adult survival and per-capita production of young explain dynamics of a long-lived goose population

AU - Weegman, Mitch D

AU - Walsh, Alyn J

AU - Ogilvie, Malcolm A

AU - Bearhop, Stuart

AU - Hilton, Geoff M

AU - Hodgson, David J.

AU - Fox, Anthony David

PY - 2022/4

Y1 - 2022/4

N2 - Population growth rates in geese can be sensitive to small changes in survival and/or production of young, explain more variation in population change can be crucial for implementing effective conservation actions. Here, we show that annual adult survival and production of young (assessed in winter) explained most variation in annual population growth rate across 36 years in GreenlandWhite-fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris, during which time the population showed a sustained increase followed by a decline. In contrast, there was no strong relationship between annual population growth rate and juvenile survival following autumn migration, suggesting that variation in this demographic parameter contributed little to the population trajectory over the same period. Quantifying the influence of decisions made by Greenland White-fronted Geese throughout the annual cycle will improve our ability to target seasonal conservation actions that reduce adult mortality and/or increase pro duction of young where possible.

AB - Population growth rates in geese can be sensitive to small changes in survival and/or production of young, explain more variation in population change can be crucial for implementing effective conservation actions. Here, we show that annual adult survival and production of young (assessed in winter) explained most variation in annual population growth rate across 36 years in GreenlandWhite-fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris, during which time the population showed a sustained increase followed by a decline. In contrast, there was no strong relationship between annual population growth rate and juvenile survival following autumn migration, suggesting that variation in this demographic parameter contributed little to the population trajectory over the same period. Quantifying the influence of decisions made by Greenland White-fronted Geese throughout the annual cycle will improve our ability to target seasonal conservation actions that reduce adult mortality and/or increase pro duction of young where possible.

KW - Anser albifrons flavirostris

KW - Greenland White-fronted Goose

KW - Integrated Population Model

KW - annual survival

KW - population decline

KW - unfavourable conservation status

U2 - 10.1111/ibi.13013

DO - 10.1111/ibi.13013

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0019-1019

VL - 164

SP - 574

EP - 580

JO - Ibis

JF - Ibis

IS - 2

ER -