Body mass of prefledging Emperor Geese Chen canagica: Large-scale effects of interspecific densities and food availability

摘要: We studied body mass of prefledging Emperor Geese Chen canagica at three locations across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, during 1990-2004 to investigate whether large-scale variation in was related interspecific competition for food. From 1990 2004, densities Cackling Branta hutchinsii minima more than doubled and were c. 2-5x greater Geese, which relatively constant over time. Body strongly (negatively) geese (combined density Geese) positively measures food availability (grazing lawn extent net above-ground primary productivity (NAPP)). Grazing by resulted consumption >= 90% NAPP that occurred grazing lawns brood-rearing period, suggesting density-dependent from exploitation common resources. Efforts increase population size would benefit considering competitive interactions among goose species with forage plants.