Habitat Selection of Canada Geese in Putnam Co., TN

A research project conducted by Marcus Pollard, a senior Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Major at Tennessee

Technological University

Project Summary

• The Canada geese population has increased drastically over the past 20 years with the Atlantic Flyway population of resident geese doubling in size between the years of 1989 and 1996 (Sheaffer, Susan E., et. al 2004)(Caccamise, Donald F., Reed, Lisa M. 2000).

• When geese reach a certain level of density they can become a drastic nuisance and even a threat to human life through possible contraction of certain diseases (VerCauteren, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J. 2003).

Project Summary (cont.)

• Objective/Goals: Learn characteristics that attract geese to certain habitats in order to produce more suitable habitats that benefit both geese and humans.

• This can be done by monitoring individual geese and their patterns in habitat selection.

Introduction

• Areas that are overpopulated by geese and that are inhabited by humans are often the site of property damage, and human health and safety concerns that are inflicted by the geese.

• Geese damage residential lawns by feeding on the grass to a large degree and by a high rate of defecation and feathers left on the lawns and also agricultural fields reducing profit by farmers in various parts of the country (VerCauteran, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J. 2003)(Borman, Michael M.

2002).

Introduction (cont.)

• It is our responsibility as managers to provide suitable habitat that will redirect the concentrations of geese in undesired areas.

• In order to effectively manage Canada geese, accurate data must be collected (Coluccy, John M. 2002).

• One effective method that doesn’t hinder the goose is a neck collar which allows scientists to record data from a distance (Hupp, Jerry W., et. al. 2003).

Objective/Hypothesis Statement

• Objective: To monitor Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in three areas consisting of grassy and wetland habitat in Putnam Co., TN (Cane Creek Park, The Boring Pond, and the Nursing Home) to determine habitat selection and frequency of occupancy in these areas.

• Hypothesis: The Canada geese that are individually recorded will overlap in occupying all three areas but show favoritism to one of the three as opposed to the others.

• Null Hypothesis: No favoritism of habitat will be apparent among the Canada geese of Putnam Co., TN.

Goose Observation DataLocation: ______________________________ Observer: ______________Date: __________ Time: __________ Latitude / Longitude: _________________Total Geese: Present: ________ Marked: ________ Examined: ________Group: _____ Present: ________ Marked: ________ Examined: ________Notes: __________________________________________________________________

Collar Code

GroupCollarCode

GroupCollarCode

Group

Expected Results

• Advantages and Benefits: If the desired habitat characteristics of the Canada Goose for the Putnam Co. area is obtained then more suitable habitat can be provided to attract the birds from less desired areas and increase density in areas where viewing or hunting is of greater importance.

Project Timeline

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Critique Powerpoint Research Manuscript

Budget

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27%

Materials

Salary

Budget (cont.)

$13 , 2%$39.99 ,

7%

$505 , 91%

Sight Scope w/TripodWindow Mount

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Literature CitedBorman, Michael M., Louhaichi, Mounir, Johnson, Douglas E., Krueger, William C., Karow, Russel S.,

Thomas, David R. 2002. Yield mapping to document goose grazing impacts on winter wheat. Agronomy Journal. 94: 1087-1093.

Caccamise, Donald F., Reed, Lisa M. 2000. DISTINGUISHING MIGRATORY AND RESIDENT CANADA GEESE USING STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS. Journal of Wildlife Management. 64: 1084-1091.

Coluccy, John M., Drobney, Ronald D., Pace, Richard M., Graber, David A. 2002. CONSEQUENCES OF NECKBAND AND LEGBAND LOSS FROM GIANT CANADA GEESE. Journal of Wildlife Management. 66: 353-360.

Hupp, Jerry W., Ruhl, Gretchen A., Pearce, John M., Mulcahy, Daniel M., Tomeo, Martha A. 2003. Effects of implanted radio transmitters with percutaneous antennas on the behavior of Canada Geese. Journal of Field Ornithology. 74: 250-256.

Sheaffer, Susan E., Rusch, Donald H., Hamburg, Dale D., Lawrence, Jeffrey S., Zenner, Guy G., Gillespie, Murray M., Caswell, F. Dale, Wilds, Steve, Yaich, Scott C. 2004. Survival, movements, and harvest of eastern prairie population Canada geese. Wildlife Monographs. 156: 1-54.

Vercauteren, Kurt C., Lavelle, Michael J., Shively, Kirk J., 2003. Characteristics of grit in Canada goose gizzards. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 31: 265-269.