Population dynamics of North American light-bellied brent geese as determined by productivity and harvest surveys
Wildfowl
3196_Kirby.pdf
By: R.E. Kirby, T.W. Barry, R.H. Kerbes, and H.H. Obrecht III
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Abstract
Midwinter inventories of total numbers, population-age ratios in the autumn, and estimates of the total numbers of and age ratios in hunter-killed birds were used to develop a population budget for Atlantic Brant - Lightbellied Brent Geese - Branta bernicla hrota for the period 1968-84. Substantial fluctuations in productivity and survival occurred even in the absence of hunting seasons for 9 of the 17 years. Annual survival estimates ranged from 0.41 to 0.97 for birds> I year of age; mean annual survival for the 17-year period was 0.77, little different from an estimate of 0.78 recently obtained from ringing records. This summary confirms high adult survival for Atlantic Brant as in other long-lived birds with delayed sexual maturity and irregulur breeding failure. The combinution of these factors results in unequal age-cohort representation from year to year. Population size alone, therefore. is not an indicator of population resilience. Proper management should aim to maintain Atlantic Brant at a level sufficient to rebound from sequential breeding and wintering failure. We propose management by age-cohort as the best scheme for tbese geese.
Suggested Citation
Kirby, R., Barry, T., Kerbes, R., and Obrecht, H., 1985, Population dynamics of North American light-bellied brent geese as determined by productivity and harvest surveys: Wildfowl, v. 36, p. 49-52.
ISSN: 2052-6458 (online)
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Population dynamics of North American light-bellied brent geese as determined by productivity and harvest surveys |
| Series title | Wildfowl |
| Volume | 36 |
| Year Published | 1985 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 49-52 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wildfowl |
| First page | 49 |
| Last page | 52 |