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Johnson FA, Heldbjerg H, Nagy S, Madsen J. Setting population-size targets for geese causing socio-economic conflicts. AMBIO 2022; 51:209-225. [PMID: 33782852 PMCID: PMC8651891 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01539-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Most European goose populations have increased exponentially, and this has increasingly brought them into conflict with human activities. To manage this conflict, we used multi-criteria decision analysis to help set population targets for a super-abundant population of greylag geese (Anser anser). We relied on expert elicitation to assess the consequences of varying goose abundance on nine ecological, economic, and societal objectives. Representatives from national governments and from non-governmental organizations then weighted the objectives based on their perceived relative importance, and we used a consensus-convergence model to reach stakeholder agreement on the tradeoffs among objectives. The preferred population targets for two management units represent about a 20% reduction from current abundances, which from a management perspective would require considerable effort above and beyond current population-control measures. We believe that multi-criteria decision analysis can provide a systematic and transparent framework for building consensus among diverse stakeholders in a wide array of human-wildlife conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred A. Johnson
- Department of Bioscience – Kalø, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Henning Heldbjerg
- Department of Bioscience – Kalø, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Szabolcs Nagy
- Wetlands International, P.O. Box 471, 6700AL Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Bioscience – Kalø, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
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Tombre IM, Oudman T, Shimmings P, Griffin L, Prop J. Northward range expansion in spring-staging barnacle geese is a response to climate change and population growth, mediated by individual experience. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:3680-3693. [PMID: 31475774 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
All long-distance migrants must cope with changing environments, but species differ greatly in how they do so. In some species, individuals might be able to adjust by learning from individual experiences and by copying others. This could greatly speed up the process of adjustment, but evidence from the wild is scarce. Here, we investigated the processes by which a rapidly growing population of barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) responded to strong environmental changes on spring-staging areas in Norway. One area, Helgeland, has been the traditional site. Since the mid-1990s, an increasing number of geese stage in another area 250 km further north, Vesterålen. We collected data on goose numbers and weather conditions from 1975 to 2017 to explore the extent to which the increase in population size and a warmer climate contributed to this change in staging area use. During the study period, the estimated onset of grass growth advanced on average by 0.54 days/year in each of the two areas. The total production of digestible biomass for barnacle geese during the staging period increased in Vesterålen but remained stable in Helgeland. The goose population has doubled in size during the past 25 years, with most of the growth being accommodated in Vesterålen. The observations suggest that this dramatic increase would not have happened without higher temperatures in Vesterålen. Records of individually marked geese indicate that from the initial years of colonization onwards, especially young geese tended to switch to Vesterålen, thereby predominating in the flocks at Vesterålen. Older birds had a lower probability of switching to Vesterålen, but over the years, the probability increased for all ages. Our findings suggest that barnacle geese integrate socially learned behaviour with adjustments to individual experiences, allowing the population to respond rapidly and accurately to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingunn M Tombre
- Department of Arctic Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Tromso, Norway
| | - Thomas Oudman
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jouke Prop
- Arctic Centre, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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3
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Integrated modelling of Atlantic mackerel distribution patterns and movements: A template for dynamic impact assessments. Ecol Modell 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Bergjord Olsen AK, Bjerke JW, Tombre IM. Yield reductions in agricultural grasslands in Norway after springtime grazing by pink-footed geese. J Appl Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kari Bergjord Olsen
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO); Kvithamar Vinnavegen 38 N-7512 Stjørdal Norway
| | - Jarle W. Bjerke
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA); FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment; PO Box 6606 Langnes N-9296 Tromsø Norway
| | - Ingunn M. Tombre
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA); FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment; PO Box 6606 Langnes N-9296 Tromsø Norway
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5
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Abstract
Increasing abundance of geese in North America and Europe constitutes a major conservation success, but has caused increasing conflicts with economic, health and safety interests, as well as ecosystem impacts. Potential conflict resolution through a single, 'one size fits all' policy is hindered by differences in species' ecology, behaviour, abundance and population status, and in contrasting political and socio-economic environments across the flyways. Effective goose management requires coordinated application of a suite of tools from the local level to strategic flyway management actions. The European Goose Management Platform, established under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, aims to harmonise and prioritise management, monitoring and conservation efforts, sharing best practice internationally by facilitating agreed policies, coordinating flyway efforts, and sharing and exchanging experiences and information. This depends crucially upon adequate government financing, the collection of necessary monitoring data (e.g., on distribution, abundance, hunting bags, demography, ecosystem and agricultural damage), the collation and effective use of such data and information, as well as the evaluation of outcomes of existing management measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Stroud
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 1JY UK
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej, 8410 Denmark
| | - Anthony D. Fox
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej, 8410 Denmark
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Simonsen CE, Tombre IM, Madsen J. Scaring as a tool to alleviate crop damage by geese: Revealing differences between farmers' perceptions and the scale of the problem. AMBIO 2017; 46:319-327. [PMID: 28215017 PMCID: PMC5316329 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-016-0891-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Expanding populations of farmland foraging geese are causing escalating conflict with agriculture. We used questionnaires to investigate farmers´ perceptions in mid-Norway of spring staging geese and the extent to which they attempt to reduce pasture damage by goose scaring. We predicted farmers' scaring effort (a measure of dissatisfaction) to increase on fields closer to goose roosting sites where goose grazing intensity was highest (measured by dropping counts). Results showed no such relationship, suggesting that farmers' perception of goose use was not linked to actual goose use, but influenced by sociological factors and individual opinion. These results confirm the need to distribute subsidies/compensation to affected farmers based upon quantifiable measures of goose use rather than complaint levels. To avoid further conflict escalation, it is equally important that managers are aware of farmers´ perceptions and their causes, to effectively target communication about policies and measures to mitigate goose-agriculture problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Simonsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Ingunn M. Tombre
- Department of Arctic Ecology, The Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 6606, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
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Madsen J, Williams JH, Johnson FA, Tombre IM, Dereliev S, Kuijken E. Implementation of the first adaptive management plan for a European migratory waterbird population: The case of the Svalbard pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus. AMBIO 2017; 46:275-289. [PMID: 28215011 PMCID: PMC5316328 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-016-0888-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
An International Species Management Plan for the Svalbard population of the pink-footed goose was adopted under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds in 2012, the first case of adaptive management of a migratory waterbird population in Europe. An international working group (including statutory agencies, NGO representatives and experts) agreed on objectives and actions to maintain the population in favourable conservation status, while accounting for biodiversity, economic and recreational interests. Agreements include setting a population target to reduce agricultural conflicts and avoid tundra degradation, and using hunting in some range states to maintain stable population size. As part of the adaptive management procedures, adjustment to harvest is made annually subject to population status. This has required streamlining of monitoring and assessment activities. Three years after implementation, indicators suggest the attainment of management results. Dialogue, consensus-building and engagement among stakeholders represent the major process achievements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Madsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - James Henty Williams
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Fred A. Johnson
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71 Street, Gainsville, FL 32653 USA
| | - Ingunn M. Tombre
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Arctic Ecology Department, The Fram Centre, P.O. Box 6606, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Sergey Dereliev
- UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement, UN Campus, Platz Der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany
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Fox AD, Madsen J. Threatened species to super-abundance: The unexpected international implications of successful goose conservation. AMBIO 2017; 46:179-187. [PMID: 28215012 PMCID: PMC5316321 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-016-0878-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Wild geese wintering in western Europe were declining by the 1930s probably due to loss of natural habitat and over exploitation through hunting, although the causes will never be known. Refuge provision and hunting restrictions from the 1950s enabled numbers to recover. Improved monitoring systems enabled the description of progressive increases and extensions of wintering range since that time, especially amongst those goose populations that increasingly exploited agricultural landscapes. This introductory article sets the scene for the special issue on the increasing interactions and conflicts created by recent increases in the range and abundance of wild geese throughout the northern hemisphere, especially with regard to agricultural damage, but including issues associated with air flight safety, human and animal health, ecosystem effects and conflicts with other biodiversity objectives. It also provides the context for finding common solutions to problems, presenting experiences from regional-, national- and flyway-coordinated management to find solutions to conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D. Fox
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
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Eythórsson E, Tombre IM, Madsen J. Goose management schemes to resolve conflicts with agriculture: Theory, practice and effects. AMBIO 2017; 46:231-240. [PMID: 28215015 PMCID: PMC5316325 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-016-0884-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In 2012, the four countries hosting the Svalbard population of pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus along its flyway launched an International Species Management Plan for the population. One of the aims was to reduce conflicts between geese and agriculture to an acceptable level. Since 2006, Norway has offered subsidies to farmers that provide refuge areas for geese on their land. We evaluate the mid-Norwegian goose management subsidy scheme, with a view to its adjustment to prevailing ecological and socio-economic parameters. The analysis indicates that the legitimacy of the scheme is highly dependent on transparency of knowledge management and accountability of management scheme to the farming community. Among farmers, as well as front-line officials, outcomes of prioritisation processes within the scheme are judged unfair when there is an evident mismatch between payments and genuine damage. We suggest how the scheme can be made more fair and responsive to ecological changes, within a framework of adaptive management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einar Eythórsson
- High North Department, Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ingunn M. Tombre
- Department of Arctic Ecology, The Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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