The impact of nutrient loading from Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on water quality, a mesocosm approach

Abstract

A mesocosm experiment determined the impact of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) feces on water chemistry. After 30 days of fecal additions (treatments of 1.209, 2.419 g, and 12.090 g every 3 d to 0.811 m3 size mescosms), no significant changes in water column total phosphorus, nitrate, N:P ratios, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, or phycocyanin were observed among treatment groups. Soluble reactive phosphorus showed a marginally significant increase in the high treatment group. A settling experiment suggested that goose feces and associated nutrients settled quickly to the sediment. Since fecal material settles quickly to the sediment, the impact of additional fecal material would not become evident in a lake until a wind event mixes the sediment into the water column or through alteration of the productivity or community structure of the benthos.