Decadal changes in vegetation of a subarctic salt marsh used by lesser snow and Canada geese

摘要: In the Hudson–James Bay system, grubbing and grazing by lesser snow geese have resulted in severe devegetation of coastal marshes. These changes likely represent an example alternative stable state; however, long-term datasets documenting whether revegetation is occurring are scarce. Here, we report results a 10-year study investigating state degraded salt marsh system on north coast Akimiski Island, Nunavut. Four transects were intensively sampled 1998 2008, two within dense nesting brood-rearing area colony, one colony edge, outside it; all these sites also used broods Canada geese. Key forage species (Puccinellia phryganodes, Festuca rubra, Carex subspathacea) less common near center than elsewhere; biomass Puccinellia tended to be lower more central areas. Forage often increased abundance between samplings, but magnitude was small. contrast, non-forage (Salicornia, Spergularia, Glaux) reached high center; some (Salicornia) decreased while others (Spergularia) increased. We argue initiated foraging damage from exceptional stopover 295,000 staging birds 1972 that combined pressure relatively small numbers migrant since then, coupled with soil changes, has been sufficient maintain devegetated areas as persistent state. Whether or not this truly stable, further recovery very slow.