COVID19-induced reduction in human disturbance enhances fattening of an overabundant goose species. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: LeTourneux, Frédéric; Grandmont, Thierry; Dulude-de Broin, Frédéric; Martin, Marie-Claude; Lefebvre, Josée; Kato, Akiko; Bêty, Joël; Gauthier, Gilles; Legagneux, Pierre
• Is Part Of: Biological conservation. Volume 255(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: COVID19 lockdown -- Hunting -- Disturbance -- Body condition -- Snow geese -- Habitat use; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.108968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3207

Abstract

Abstract: Overabundant species can have major impacts on their habitat and induce trophic cascades within ecosystems. In North America, the overabundant greater snow goose ( Anser caerulescens atlanticus ) has been successfully controlled through special spring hunting regulations since 1999. Hunting is a source of mortality but also of disturbance, which affects the behavior and nutrient storage dynamics of staging snow geese. In 2020, the lockdown imposed by the COVID19 pandemic reduced hunting activity during their migratory stopover in Québec by at least 31%. This provided a unique opportunity to assess the effects of a sudden reduction in hunting disturbance on geese. We used long-term data on body mass combined with movement data from GPS-tracked birds in 2019 and 2020 to assess the effects of the 2020 lockdown on the spring body condition and behavior of greater snow geese. Body condition was higher in 2020 than in all years since the inception of spring hunting in 1999, except for 2019. However, in 2020 geese reached maximal body condition earlier during the staging period than in any other year and reduced by half time spent feeding in highly profitable but risky agricultural habitat in late spring compared to 2019. Although our study was not designed to evaluate the effects of the lockdown, the associated reduction in disturbance in 2020 supports the hypothesis that hunting-related disturbance negatively affects foraging efficiency and body condition in geese. Since spring body condition is related to subsequent breeding success, the lockdown could increase productivity in this overabundant population. Highlights: Spring hunting disturbance affects nutrient storage dynamics in greater snow geese. Hunting and scaring activities were reduced during the COVID19 lockdown in spring 2020. In 2020, snow geese reached high pre-migratory body condition earlier than other years. GPS-tracked geese used less profitable but safer habitats in late spring 2020 vs. 2019. Overall, pre-migratory body condition was strongly related to spring hunting pressure.