Bean Goose Research Articles

Use of GPS tags to describe the home ranges, migration routes, stop-over locations and breeding area of Taiga Bean Geese Anser fabalis fabalis wintering in central Scotland

ABSTRACTCapsule: Taiga Bean Geese Anser fabalis fabalis wintering near Falkirk, Scotland staged in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and summered in central Sweden.Aims: To determine the migration routes, timing of movements, breeding area and home ranges of Taiga Bean Geese wintering near Falkirk, Scotland.Methods: Ten Taiga Bean Geese, caught on the wintering grounds in Scotland, were marked with neck collars carrying global positioning system (GPS) tags. A further 21 geese were fitted with individually marked plastic neck collars. GPS location data were collected and field counts and searches for individually marked geese were undertaken to provide detailed information on their location throughout the year.Results: Seven GPS tags provided information away from Scotland, indicating that two migration routes were used en route to the breeding grounds in Dalarna, Sweden. During the non-breeding season, the total home range of the geese was approximately 466 km2, although the total area within agricultural fields used by the geese may have been as small as 13 km2.Conclusions: The timing of movements, migration routes, breeding area and identification of important stop-over sites for this wintering population are described for the first time.

Characterising the interspecific variations and convergence of gut microbiota in Anseriformes herbivores at wintering areas.

Microorganisms in vertebrate guts have been recognized as important symbionts influencing host life. However, it remains unclear about the gut microbiota in long-distance migratory Anseriformes herbivores, which could be functionally important for these wetland-dependent animals. We collected faeces of the greater white-fronted goose (GWFG), bean goose (BG) and swan goose (SG) from Shengjin Lake (SJL) and Poyang Lake (PYL) in the Yangtze River Floodplain, China. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA V4 region was employed to depict the composition and structure of geese gut microbiota during wintering period. The dominant bacterial phyla across all samples were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, but significant variations were detected among different goose species and sampling sites, in terms of α diversity, community structures and microbial interactions. We found a significant correlation between diet and the microbial community structure in GWFG-SJL samples. These results demonstrated that host species and diet are potential drivers of goose gut microbiota assemblies. Despite these variations, functions of geese gut microbiota were similar, with great abundances of potential genes involved in nutrient metabolism. This preliminary study would be valuable for future, exhaustive investigations of geese gut microbiota and their interactions with host.

Selection of a marker gene to construct a reference library for wetland plants, and the application of metabarcoding to analyze the diet of wintering herbivorous waterbirds.

Food availability and diet selection are important factors influencing the abundance and distribution of wild waterbirds. In order to better understand changes in waterbird population, it is essential to figure out what they feed on. However, analyzing their diet could be difficult and inefficient using traditional methods such as microhistologic observation. Here, we addressed this gap of knowledge by investigating the diet of greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons and bean goose Anser fabalis, which are obligate herbivores wintering in China, mostly in the Middle and Lower Yangtze River floodplain. First, we selected a suitable and high-resolution marker gene for wetland plants that these geese would consume during the wintering period. Eight candidate genes were included: rbcL, rpoC1, rpoB, matK, trnH-psbA, trnL (UAA), atpF-atpH, and psbK-psbI. The selection was performed via analysis of representative sequences from NCBI and comparison of amplification efficiency and resolution power of plant samples collected from the wintering area. The trnL gene was chosen at last with c/h primers, and a local plant reference library was constructed with this gene. Then, utilizing DNA metabarcoding, we discovered 15 food items in total from the feces of these birds. Of the 15 unique dietary sequences, 10 could be identified at specie level. As for greater white-fronted goose, 73% of sequences belonged to Poaceae spp., and 26% belonged to Carex spp. In contrast, almost all sequences of bean goose belonged to Carex spp. (99%). Using the same samples, microhistology provided consistent food composition with metabarcoding results for greater white-fronted goose, while 13% of Poaceae was recovered for bean goose. In addition, two other taxa were discovered only through microhistologic analysis. Although most of the identified taxa matched relatively well between the two methods, DNA metabarcoding gave taxonomically more detailed information. Discrepancies were likely due to biased PCR amplification in metabarcoding, low discriminating power of current marker genes for monocots, and biases in microhistologic analysis. The diet differences between two geese species might indicate deeper ecological significance beyond the scope of this study. We concluded that DNA metabarcoding provides new perspectives for studies of herbivorous waterbird diets and inter-specific interactions, as well as new possibilities to investigate interactions between herbivores and plants. In addition, microhistologic analysis should be used together with metabarcoding methods to integrate this information.

Habitat Use and its Implications for the Conservation of the Overwintering Populations of Bean GooseAnser fabalisand Greater White-Fronted GooseA. albifronsin South Korea

Abstract The Korean peninsula is geographically important for the migration of geese. Several thousand geese visit South Korea every winter, but currently it is unclear which habitats are preferred by the geese. Understanding patterns of habitat usage is important for establishing conservation strategies, as some habitats may be disappearing more rapidly than others making it critical to know whether or not a disappearing habitat is crucial to certain birds. In this study, we investigated the habitat use of the wintering populations of Bean Goose Anser fabalis and Greater White-fronted Goose A. albifrons. We found that the wintering populations of these two geese species in South Korea have stabilized after sudden increases during the mid and late 2000s. Both species formed larger wintering populations at coastal lakes, on reclaimed lands, and at estuaries than on freshwater habitats, which may be related to the availability and/or diversity of food items. Considering that environmental changes resulting ...

Selection of Bird Species for the Nakdong River Estuary Management

Bird species (BS) of the Nakdong River estuary (NRE) were selected to suggest conservation and management strategies, taking habitats and major threats into consideration. Five BS (Cygnus spp., Calidris alpina, Sterna albifrons, Fulica atra, and Anser fabalis) were selected following analysis of their dominance, national importance, seasonality, taxonomic group, and distribution within the NRE. The BS comprise two winter birds, one summer, one passage bird, and one resident bird. They can also be classified into four taxonomic groups: two under ducks and geese (Anatidae), and one each under gulls (Laridae), shorebirds (Scolopacidae), and diving birds (Rallidae). The results show that BS could be a useful tool in guiding estuary management because their habitats are clearly distinct, and include important areas of the NRE. A reduction of feeding and resting places-such as tidal flats, Scirpus planiculmis habitat, and agricultural farmland-and climate change are major threats to BS, therefore countermeasures to such threats should be considered in future estuary management plans.

Variation in Elevation and Sward Height Facilitate Coexistence of Goose Species through Allometric Responses in Wetlands

Allometric scaling law predicts that herbivores respond differently to the availability of resources, mediated by body size. However, studies of allometric responses have often focused on animals with a relatively large difference in body size. Here, using a correlative field study, habitat use by two herbivorous species, the Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) and the Greater White-fronted Goose (A. albifrons), with a relatively small difference in body size was investigated during the wintering period. Both a generalized linear mixed model and a mixed logistic regression model showed that both species selected lower lying areas that were recently exposed, and, as expected, the smaller Greater White-fronted Goose showed a stronger selection of foraging habitat than the larger Bean Goose. Sward height also influenced habitat selection by both species, and the smaller species selected shorter swards than the larger species. In terms of forage quality, both models failed to detect a significant effect of nitrogen content on goose habitat selection. A logistic regression model showed that structural heterogeneity of the sward negatively correlated with the patch selection of the smaller species, but for the larger species such a correlation was not found. In agreement with our hypotheses, our results provide some preliminary indication that coexistence of the two goose species studied here might be mediated by an allometric response even if the difference in body size is relatively small.

Isolation, characterization and multiplex PCR development of Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) microsatellite loci

DNA from non-invasively collected samples may be used to identify individuals for monitoring birds. Here we describe 36 novel microsatellite loci from Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) identified using a next-generation sequencing approach. From 34 variable loci, we selected 12 tetranucleotide loci with short amplicon sizes, combined these into two multiplex PCR sets, and included a sex-typing marker. In 31 Bean Geese from a population in central Norway, we found 4–10 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.58 to 0.87. The combined probability of identity for the 12 loci was 6.5 × 10−13. These novel microsatellite loci and their multiplex PCR assays will be useful for genetic analyses of the Bean Goose, including typing of non-invasive samples such as molted feathers. Cross-species application of the two multiplex PCR assays revealed that all 12 loci amplified successfully in four other Anser species.

Numbers of Taiga Bean Geese Anseer f. fabalis utilizing the western and central flyways through Sweden during springtime 2007–2015

Bean Geese Anser fabalis were counted at all known spring staging sites in south-central Sweden within the time window when geese migrating along the western and central flyways had left their wintering grounds in Denmark and southernmost Sweden, but before they had crossed the Bothnian Bay to Finland. Reliable counts were obtained for seven years 2007–2015: 57,000 in 2007, 55,500 in 2008, 49,300 in 2009, 46,900 in 2011, 47,400 in 2012, 53,900 in 2014, and 60,200 in 2015. The increase between 2011 and 2015 was significant and may be related to recently decreased hunting pressure in Finland. Subtraction of an estimated 4,000 Tundra Bean Geese Anser f. rossicus and addition of two small populations of Taiga Bean Geese Anser f. fabalis wintering in the UK and in NW Jutland that were likely missed in the counts, yielded a total estimate of 44,200–57,500 Taiga Bean Geese utilizing the western and central flyways. Based on these counts, combined with data on geese wintering east of the Baltic Sea, I estimate the world population to 68,000 Taiga Bean Geese in 2015.

4대강 사업 이전 낙동강 하구 철새 도래지의 주요 조류 현황

낙동강 하구의 생태적 역할과 서식하는 조류종을 바탕으로 한 체계적이고 지속가능한 하구 관리를 위해서는 이곳을 이용하는 조류현황에 대한 이해가 필요하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 부산발전연구원 조류모니터링 자료(2003-2011)를 활용하여 4대강 사업 이전의 낙동강 하구의 조류 현황을 파악하고자 하였다. 낙동강 하구에서 관찰된 조류 중 겨울새의 비중이 종수에서는 38.36%, 개체수에서는 63.14%로 가장 많은 비율을 차지하여, 낙동강하구가 겨울철새의 도래지임을 보여주었다. 조사권역별로는 명지(208,651개체), 서낙동강(202,444개체), 을숙도(153,232개체), 백합 도요등(150,595개체) 순으로 누적개체수가 많았으며, 을숙도(171종), 서낙동강(141종), 일웅도(124종), 명지(123종), 삼락둔치(121종) 순으로 종수가 많은 것으로 나타났다. 낙동강하구에서 기록된 232종 중 청둥오리가 197,870개체, 전체의 17.71%로 가장 많이 관찰되었으며, 다음으로 흰뺨검둥오리(8.85%), 괭이갈매기(6.48%), 큰기러기(6.09%), 홍머리오리(5.16%), 민물도요(4.22%) 순으로 우점하고 있는 것으로 조사되었다. 혹부리오리류를 제외한 대부분의 분류군들이 연간 변동은 보였지만 조사 기간 중 점차 증가하는 추세를 보였다. 가마우지류, 고니류, 갈매기류 등은 다른 분류군의 조류 보다 조사 기간 동안의 연간 변동 폭이 큰 것으로 나타났는데, 특히 고니류의 경우 5차년도(2007-2008)와 7차년도(2009-2010)에 개체수가 전년도에 비해 크게 감소하였으며, 또한 8차년도(2010-2011)에는 도요 물떼새류, 갈매기류, 할미새류, 기타 새류에서 개체수의 감소가 관찰되어 이들 분류군의 서식에 영향을 줄 수 있는 환경변화가 있었던 것으로 보인다. 전체적으로는 서식지의 특성이 우점종의 분포와 연관성이 있는 것으로 조사되었다. Understanding bird status is essential for the systematic and sustainable management of the Nakdong River Estuary, taking into consideration the relationship between ecosystems and the bird species. In this study, bird status in the Nakdong River Estuary Bird Sanctuary prior to the Four Major Rivers Project was analyzed using the bird monitoring data (2003-2011) from surveys conducted by the Busan Development Institute. The high percentage of winter visitors in terms of both species diversity (38.36%) and individual bird numbers (63.14%) suggest that the Nakdong River Estuary is an important wintering site for migratory birds. Cumulative numbers of individual birds were higher in Myungji (208,601), West Nakdong River (202,444), Eulsukdo (153,232), and Baekhap Doyodeung (150,595). The total numbers of migratory species were higher in Eulsukdo (171), Ilungdo (124), Myungji (132), and Samrak (121). Among the 232 species found in the Nakdong River Estuary, Anas platyrhynchos (17.71%) was the most common species, followed by Anas poecilorhyncha (8.85%), Larus crassirostris (6.48%), Anser fabalis (6.09%), Anas penelope (5.16%), and Calidris alpina (4.22%). Most bird taxa, except shelducks, showed annual fluctuations in individual numbers, with increasing frequency during survey periods. Of these, cormorants, swans, and gulls showed higher fluctuations than other taxa. Swans decreased drastically in numbers in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 compared to previous years. Shore birds, gulls, wagtails, and other forest birds were also less common in 2010-2011. These results suggest that there were some environmental changes that might have affected the birds in the Nakdong River Estuary. Overall, the results suggest that habitat types affect the distribution of dominant species.

Avoiding Competition? Site Use, Diet and Foraging Behaviours in Two Similarly Sized Geese Wintering in China

Competition may occur when two species with similar feeding ecologies exploit the same limited resources in time and space. In recent years, the Eastern Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis serrirostris and Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons frontalis have increased in wintering numbers at Shengjin Lake, China. To examine the potential for coexistence and possible avoidance strategies, we studied (1) their habitat use, (2) foraging behaviours and (3) diets of birds foraging in mixed- and single-species flocks. Both species extensively exploited sedge meadows, where they showed considerable overlap in spatial distribution and diet. The percentage feeding time and diet of both species were unaffected by the presence of the other. Greater White-fronted Geese appeared diurnal sedge meadow specialists, almost never feeding in other habitats. Eastern Tundra Bean Geese were less selective, exploiting other habitats, which they increasingly exploited at night in mid-winter. The use of alternative habitats and night feeding may have avoided interspecific competition. While the specialised feeding ecology of Greater White-fronted Geese may make them particularly vulnerable to loss of sedge meadow habitat, Eastern Tundra Bean Geese may be able to adjust because of their use of alternative habitats and a less restricted diet.

Pathologic Changes in Wild Birds Infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses, South Korea, 2014.

In January 2014, an outbreak of infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) virus began on a duck farm in South Korea and spread to other poultry farms nearby. During this outbreak, many sick or dead wild birds were found around habitats frequented by migratory birds. To determine the causes of death, we examined 771 wild bird carcasses and identified HPAI A(H5N8) virus in 167. Gross and histologic lesions were observed in pancreas, lung, brain, and kidney of Baikal teals, bean geese, and whooper swans but not mallard ducks. Such lesions are consistent with lethal HPAI A(H5N8) virus infection. However, some HPAI-positive birds had died of gunshot wounds, peritonitis, or agrochemical poisoning rather than virus infection. These findings suggest that susceptibility to HPAI A(H5N8) virus varies among species of migratory birds and that asymptomatic migratory birds could be carriers of this virus.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) feeding ecology and trophic relationships on Kolguev Island: The usage patterns of nutritional resources in tundra and seashore habitats

Insight into colonization of new areas by invasive species and their relationships with aboriginal species is a major challenge in ecology, allowing for prediction of the outcome of biological invasions. In this context, the current expansion of the Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) is of great interest. The seasonal dynamics of Barnacle Goose feeding and the structure of its diet on Kolguev Island during the nesting and postnesting periods (May 27–July 29) have been examined. The diet structures of the invasive Barnacle Goose and the aboriginal species White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and Bean goose (A. fabalis) have been compared. The probability of interspecific competition and the ecological advantages in the diet patterns of these species have been estimated. If the Barnacle Goose population on Kolguev Island continues to increase, this may led to a decline in the population of aboriginal species of geese on the island.

Complete genome sequence of a natural reassortant H9N2 avian influenza virus found in bean goose (Anser fabalis): Direct evidence for virus exchange between Korea and China via wild birds

In 2011, we isolated a natural recombinant H9N2 avian influenza virus from fecal droppings of bean goose (Anser fabalis) in Korea. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the A/bean goose/Korea/220/2011(H9N2) isolate is a reassortant of Eurasian and North American lineages of avian influenza virus. In addition, the complete genome sequence, including all 8 gene segments, was associated with Chinese H9N2 viruses isolated from wild birds in the Hunan East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve. These data provide direct evidence for the exchange of avian influenza viruses between Korea and China via wild birds.

Staging and wintering Taiga Bean Geese Anser fabalis fabalis in north-east Scania, south Sweden

In the municipalities of Bromölla and Kristianstad, south Sweden, monthly counts of Bean Geese have been carried out during October–March/April since November 1976. The seasonal peak count was up to 1987/1988 recorded in March, during the following six seasons in January, and from 1994/1995 onwards in November or December. April numbers decreased from more than 5,000 birds in 1977 to hardly any at all from 1997 onwards. Fewer Bean Geese were counted up to the 1986/1987 season than thereafter. In most of the last 25 seasons, the number of Taiga Bean Geese Anser fabalis fabalis in north-east Scania peaked at about 20% of the total Western Palearctic population, with a highest count of 24,000 birds in December 1997. Most or all Bean Geese left north-east Scania during severe winters. Checks of staging bean goose flocks and hunting bags showed that, except for Lake Hammarsjön from 2004/2005 onwards and a few flocks in the other areas, the Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris rossicus was quite rare in the region.

Habitat utilization and resource partitioning of wintering Hooded Cranes and three goose species at Shengjin Lake

The loss and degradation of wetlands have adversely affected waterbirds, which depend on wetland habitats. Interspecific competition has an important effect on habitat utilization of winter - ing waterbirds. Resource utilization, including partitioning, in degraded wetlands has become a hot issue in ecological studies of wintering waterbirds. In order to have an insight into the habitat utiliza- tion and resource partitioning between a Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) population and the guild of three goose species, i.e., Anser fabalis, A. albifrons and A. erythropus wintering in lake wetlands, we carried out a study at Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve from November 2011 to April 2012. We surveyed the Hooded Cranes and goose guild foraging in various habitats during the wintering peri- ods with a combined method of fixed route searching and fixed site observations. Resource partition - ing was studied by means of calculating habitat utilization rates and the width and overlap of spatial niches. The results showed that the habitat utilization rate and the width of spatial niches of the Hooded Crane population and goose guild shifted with the season. The habitat utilization rates of the cranes in grasslands were high at all three wintering stages. The habitat utilization rates were 0.454, 0.435 and 0.959 respectively for the Hooded Cranes and 0.627, 0.491 and 0.616 for the goose guild. This suggests that the overlap in grasslands was higher between cranes and goose guild. Most habitats were accessible at the middle stage, so the width of the spatial niche of the cranes (1.099) and goose guild (1.133) both reached their peak at this stage. The greatest niche overlap was 0.914 for these two groups at the late stage, followed by 0.906 at the middle stage and the smallest was 0.854 at the early stage. Ecological response to the changes in habitats of wintering waterbirds was clearly shown in the dynamic variations of the niche of both the Hooded Cranes and the three goose species. Coexistence among waterbirds was achieved by regulation of niche width to reduce niche overlap and relieve in- terspecific resource partitioning.

창녕군 우포늪에 도래하는 큰기러기 Anser fabalis의 서식지 이용 특성 연구

창녕군 우포늪에 도래하는 큰기러기 Anser fabalis의 서식지 이용 특성 연구

First survey of the occurrence of duck enteritis virus (DEV) in free-ranging Polish water birds

Duck plague (DP) caused by anatid herpesvirus 1, also called duck enteritis virus (DEV), presents one of the most important concerns in mass waterfowl production. Apart from geese and ducks, free-ranging water birds are the most notorious infection carriers. The epidemiology of DEV in Western Europe remains unknown. Therefore, it was reasonable to conduct a study on its occurrence using modern but simple real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Analysis of 132 field isolates showed the presence of DEV in 96 birds (72.7 %), and it was found predominantly in wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and mute swans (Cygnus olor). This virus was also found in graylag geese (Anser anser), tundra bean geese (Anser fabalis), and grey herons (Ardea cinerea). The results were recorded as green colour of positive samples, fluorescence under ultraviolet light, and florescent curves in a real-time PCR system. This study indicates the high prevalence of DEV among free-ranging water birds in Poland and the possible transmission to other birds settling in the water environment. This is the first report of DEV detection among free-ranging water birds in Poland.

Tundra Bean Geese Anser fabalis rossicus in central and southern Sweden autumn 2009–spring 2012

Daytime counts at 35 staging/wintering sites in 2009–2012 revealed that total numbers of Tundra Bean Geese Anser fabalis rossicus present in central and southern Sweden often reached 5000–10000. In mild winters, many of these birds stay in Sweden, mainly in the Hammarsjon area, in NE Scania. These findings show that the current population size of the Taiga Bean Goose A. f. fabalis is seriously over-estimated.

Movements of Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis rossicus neck-banded in northern Scandinavia

Based on 1420 neck-band reports we could map the movements of Tundra Bean Geese marked in northern Scandinavia. With few exceptions, the maps show a distinct migration pattern through Sweden to the main wintering area in NE Scania. In mild winters, only a few individuals extend their migration into continental Europe, but during severe winters, a large proportion of the sightings are from Germany and Denmark.

The benefits of being big: effects of body size on energy budgets of three wintering goose species grazing Carex beds in the Yangtze River floodplain, China

Herbivores of different body size vary in food selection because of their different metabolic requirements and abilities to harvest and digest food. Compared with smaller grazers, larger ones require higher food quantity but can tolerate poorer quality. This divergence may also explain habitat partitioning in the distribution of closely related species. By estimating daily energy expenditure (based on observed activity budgets) and energy intake (using the indigestible marker method in food and faeces), we compared the field energy budgets of three wintering herbivorous goose species differing in body size feeding on the same Carex meadows. Throughout the winter, the larger Bean Geese Anser fabalis serrirostris and Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons maintained positive energy budgets grazing lower quality Carex, in contrast to the smaller Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus which failed to do so and could only maintain positive energy budgets by grazing high-quality Alopecurus, Cynodon and Eleocharis. However, all three species failed to maintain positive energy balance and lost mass in mid-winter. These results have important implications for explaining the divergent distribution patterns of these species on their wintering grounds in China.