Demographic changes in a Snow Goose population: biological and management implications

Abstract

Abstract There is a threefold challenge facing biologists studying economically important species: firstly, to understand the basic demographic facts about the population; secondly, to draw the appropriate inferences from these facts; and thirdly, management implications have to be pointed out. If the factual information is flawed, it is irrelevant at best and irresponsible at worst to offer advice on management. In this paper, we report some of the essential demographic findings that have been made relating to the Lesser Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens caerulescens) population at La Perouse Bay (LPB), in Northern Manitoba, Canada. We provide population estimates for fecundity (production) and survival and show how the values change with time. We use these values to show that the changes in demographic parameters can explain the changes in population size, and attempt to identify the factors responsible for the demographic changes. This information will allow managers to devise policies concerning the target population levels, which may involve either a change or maintenance of the original population level. If managers wish to change the population levels, they will have the requisite information on which to attempt to alter the demography of the population.