Arctic Foxes, Lemmings, and Canada Goose Nest Survival at Cape Churchill, Manitoba

Reiter, Matthew E.; Andersen, David E.

doi:10.1676/10-097.1

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Functional and numerical responses of generalist Arctic predators to their primary prey, lemmings, have been well-documented [11,13,45]. The strength of these relationships may vary by site [46] and depend on the presence of allochthonous resources such as geese [10,23,47]. Over a 17-year period, we found no systematic changes in indices of predators or prey at our East Bay Mainland site, 10 km away from a goose colony.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio-temporal responses of predators to hyperabundant geese affect risk of predation for sympatric-nesting species

et al. 2019

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The Arctic is undergoing rapid changes, with anthropogenic shifts in climate having important and well-documented impacts on habitat. Populations of predators and their prey are affected by changing climate and other anthropogenic factors, and these changing trophic interactions could have profound effects on breeding populations of Arctic birds. Variable abundance of lemmings (a primary prey of generalist Arctic predators) and increasing abundance of light geese (Lesser Snow and Ross’ Geese; a secondary prey) could have negative consequences for numerous sympatric shorebirds (an incidental prey). Using 16 years of predator-prey observations and 13-years of shorebird nest survival data at a site near a goose colony we identify relationships among geese, lemmings, and their shared predators and then relate predator indices to shorebird risk of nest predation. During two years, we also placed time-lapse cameras and artificial shorebird nests at increasing distances from a goose colony to document spatial trends in predators and their effect on risk of predation. In the long-term data, yearly indices of light geese positively influenced indices of gulls and jaegers, and shorebird nest predation rate was negatively correlated with jaeger and fox indices. All three predator indices were highest near the goose colony and artificial nest predation probability was negatively correlated with distance from goose colony, but these effects were less apparent during the second year. Combined, these results highlight the variation in predator-mediated interactions between geese and shorebirds and outline one mechanism by which hyperabundant geese may be contributing to local or regional declines in Arctic-nesting shorebird populations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio-temporal responses of predators to hyperabundant geese affect risk of predation for sympatric-nesting species

et al. 2019

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“…Arctic foxes are the primary terrestrial predator in the area and collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx richardsoni) are the most common rodent on the tundra, where Arctic foxes are generally located (Scott & Hansell 1989;Roth 2002). Large numbers of lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis interior) nest in the area (Cooke et al 1995;Abraham et al 2005;Reiter & Andersen 2011). Snow geese nest in colonies, creating a congregation of food resources for predators (Bantle & Alisauskas 1998;Samelius & Alisauskas 2000;Gauthier et al 2004;Giroux et al 2012), and the number of nesting lesser snow geese has increased substantially in the study area over the past 50 years (Cooke et al 1995;Abraham et al 2005).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Karrak Lakethe largest goose colony in the Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary, in Nunavut, Canadacan include up to 1 000 000 nesting pairs of Ross's and lesser snow geese (Samelius et al 2011). Canada goose nests are more widely distributed in the area and, although the number of nesting Canada geese had declined (Nack & Andersen 2006), their numbers have stabilized in recent years (Reiter & Andersen 2011). After hatch, both snow geese and Canada geese move to coastal brood rearing areas in salt or fresh water marshes (Nack & Andersen 2006).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Goose persistence in fall strongly influences Arctic fox diet, but not reproductive success, in the southern Arctic

2017

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Food availability is the primary limitation for terrestrial Arctic predators, many of which rely on rodents that fluctuate in abundance over a 3-5-year period. During rodent scarcity, predators such as Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) consume alternative prey, such as migratory birds, which are plentiful during summer. In most of the Arctic these birds return south by August, but in northern Manitoba, near the southern edge of the Arctic fox distribution, large numbers of lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis interior) persist into October. This extended availability of geese late into fall may reduce the dependence of Arctic foxes on rodents. We used stable isotope and faecal analyses to reconstruct the Arctic fox fall and winter diet and related the most probable contributions of lemmings, goose eggs and juvenile geese with changes in prey availability and fox reproduction. Geese were a potentially important component of the fall diet for Arctic foxes, especially in years with high goose productivity, but rodents were the main component of the diet in late winter, even though rodents were scarce each summer (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013). Furthermore, rodent density had a greater influence on Arctic fox reproduction, which was correlated with the subsequent winter harvest, than any other variable examined. Although geese were important fall prey for Arctic foxes at the southern edge of their distribution, they did not buffer declines in availability of rodents, which were the primary prey in April when food availability is critical for Arctic fox reproduction.

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“…Finally, most studies that have provided evidence supporting the APH in arctic bird populations were conducted in the eastern hemisphere (Underhill et al 1993, Summers et al 1998, Blomqvist et al 2002. Of the 4 studies testing APH in arctic bird populations in the western hemisphere (Bêty et al 2001, Smith et al 2007a, Smith 2009, Reiter and Andersen 2011, only half have found evidence to support the hypothesis (Bêty et al 2001, Smith et al 2007a. The main objective of this study was to investigate the indirect relationship between shorebird reproduction and lemming abundance in the eastern Canadian High Arctic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator-mediated interactions between lemmings and shorebirds: A test of the alternative prey hypothesis

McKinnon

Berteaux

Bêty

2014

The Auk

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Arctic Foxes, Lemmings, and Canada Goose Nest Survival at Cape Churchill, Manitoba

Cited by 19 publications

References 32 publications

Spatio-temporal responses of predators to hyperabundant geese affect risk of predation for sympatric-nesting species

Spatio-temporal responses of predators to hyperabundant geese affect risk of predation for sympatric-nesting species

Goose persistence in fall strongly influences Arctic fox diet, but not reproductive success, in the southern Arctic

Predator-mediated interactions between lemmings and shorebirds: A test of the alternative prey hypothesis

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