Portal to the Lesser White-fronted Goose

- by the Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose project

Literature type: Report

Language: English

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Full reference: Lampila, P. & Eskelin, T. 2015. Monitoring of Lesser White-fronted Geese (Anser erythropus) in Northern Iran. , AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose International Working Group Report Series No. 4. Bonn, Germany.

Keywords: Iran, winter survey

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume: 527–528 , Pages: 279–286.

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.083

Language: English

Full reference: Aloupi, M., Kazantzidis, S., Akriotis, T., Bantikou, E. & Hatzidaki, V.-O. 2015. Lesser White-fronted (Anser erythropus) and Greater White-fronted (A. albifrons) Geese wintering in Greek wetlands are not threatened by Pb through shot ingestion. Science of the Total Environment 527–528: 279–286. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.083

Keywords: Non-invasive monitoring, Soil ingestion, Pb–Al relationship, Anser albifrons, Anser erythropus, Lead shot, Greece, hunting,

Abstract:

Fecal lead (Pb) levels were investigated in the threatened European population of the Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG, Anser erythropus) and of the non-threatened Greater White-fronted Goose (GWfG, Anser albifrons) wintering in two wetland areas in northern Greece in order to assess the potential risk from Pb exposure. Fecal, soil and food plant samples were analyzed. Levels of Pb were normalized using Al concentrations in order to sep-arate the effect of possible ingestion of Pb shot from that of soil or sediment accidentally ingested with food. All concentrations are expressed on a dry weight basis. Geometric means of Pb content in the feces of LWfG were 6.24 mg/kg at Evros Delta and 7.34 mg/kg at Lake Kerkini (maximum values of 28.61 mg/kg and 36.68 mg/kg, re-spectively); for fecal samples of GWfG geometric means were 2.39 mg/kg at Evros Delta and 6.90 mg/kg at Kerkini (corresponding maximum values of 25.09 mg/kg and 42.26 mg/kg). Soil Pb was in the range of 5.2–60.2 mg/kg (geometric mean = 22.6 mg/kg) for the Evros Delta and between 13.4 and 64.9 mg/kg (geometric mean = 28.1 mg/kg) for Kerkini. A general linear model fitted to the data showed that Pb levels were very closely dependent on Al levels in the feces from both species and at both sites indicating soil or sediment were the only significant source of Pb; species and site, as well as their interaction, were not statistically significant factors. For both species and at both sites exposure to Pb was evidently very mild and the observed levels of Pb were well below the proposed thresholds for lethal or sublethal effects of Pb poisoning. Soil ingestion appeared to gradually increase from October to De-cember for LWfG at Kerkini, corresponding to a gradual depletion of their food source.

Literature type: General

Journal: Indian Birds

Volume: 9 , Pages: 148–149.

Language: English

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Full reference: Shreeram M. V., & Deomurari, A. 2014. Record of Lesser- Anser erythropus and Greater- White-fronted Geese A. albifrons from Gujarat, India. Indian Birds: 9, 148–149.

Keywords: observation, India

Literature type: Report

Language: Greek (In Greek with English summary)

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Full reference: Kazantzidis S.,Vasiliadis, I., Ilias, V. & Makriyianni, E. 2014. Direct and indirect impact assessment of hunting activities on the wintering Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus), in Evros Delta, Greece. , Final rep. LIFE10 NAT/GR/000638 Safeguarding the Lesser White-fronted Goose Fennoscandian population in key wintering and staging sites within the European flyway. Hellenic Agr. Org. “DEMETER” – Forest Res. Inst. Thessaloniki, Greece. 102 p. + Annexes

Keywords: Hunting, EU-Life, Greece, Evros Delta

Literature type: Report

Language: English

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Full reference: Karmiris, I., Papachristou, T., Platis, P. & Kazantzidis, S. 2014. The diet of the wintering Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus L., 1758) in two wetlands in Greece. , Final Rep., action A5, LIFE10NAT/GR/000638 project “Safeguarding the Lesser White–fronted goose Fennoscandian population in key wintering and staging sites within the European flyway». Hellenic Agr. Org. “DEMETER”/Forest Res. Inst., Thessaloniki, Greece.

Keywords: Greece, diet, food, selection, availability, Kerkini, Evros delta, droppings, habitat use, vegetation, EU-Life

Literature type: Action Plan

Journal: Calandrella

Volume: 17 , Pages: 1-92.

Language: Hungarian (In Hungarian)

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Full reference: Bogyó, D., Ecsedi, Z., Tar, J., Zalai, T. 2014. A kis lilik (Anser erythropus) magyarországi fajmegörzési terve. [Hungarian National Action Plan for Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus).]

Keywords: Hungary, Action plan

Literature type: Proceedings

Journal: Ornis norvegica

Volume: 36 , Pages: 47-51.

Language: English

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Full reference: Yerokhov, S. 2013. The current status of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus in Kazakhstan: monitoring, threats and conservation measures , Proceedings of the 14th meeting of the Goose Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Wetlands International. Ornis norvegica 36: 47-56.

Keywords: Species conservation, hunting, recreational disturbance, water regulation, poisoning

Abstract:

Within the framework of the National Action Plan (hereafter NAP) for the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus developed in the republic of Kazakhstan between 2011 and 2012, a number of measures are planned for the forthcoming three years (2012–2014). On the basis of scientific data received on this species in the last decades, and making use of available experience from other countries, it is proposed to carry out a variety of practical activities regarding goose protection, in particular in order to reduce the negative influence of a number of anthropogenic factors upon Lesser White-fronted Goose, in particular the influence of hunting on this protected species. Considering that implementation of such plans have not previously been applied to the fauna of Kazakhstan, this NAP will serve as a model as to how to implement effective management of other species and populations in order to reduce and eliminate negative factors affecting biodiversity and habitat.

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Journal of Ornithology

, Pages: online June 2013.

DOI: 10.1007/s10336-013-0979-7

Language: English

Full reference: Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Zhao, M. Cao, L. & Fox, A.D. 2013. The benefits of being big: effects of body size on energy budgets of three wintering goose species grazing Carex beds in the Yangtze River floodplain, China. Journal of Ornithology : online June 2013. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-013-0979-7

Keywords: energy budget, Yangtze River floodplain, erythropus, fabalis, serrirostris, Albifrons, wintering

Abstract:

Herbivores of different body size vary in food selection because of their different metabolic requirements and abilities to harvest and digest food. Compared with smaller grazers, larger ones require higher food quantity but can tolerate poorer quality. This divergence may also explain habitat partitioning in the distribution of closely related species. By estimating daily energy expenditure (based on observed activity budgets) and energy intake (using the indigestible marker method in food and faeces), we compared the field energy budgets of three wintering herbivorous goose species differing in body size feeding on the same Carex meadows. Throughout the winter, the larger Bean Geese Anser fabalis serrirostris and Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons maintained positive energy budgets grazing lower quality Carex, in contrast to the smaller Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus which failed to do so and could only maintain positive energy budgets by grazing high-quality Alopecurus, Cynodon and Eleocharis. However, all three species failed to maintain positive energy balance and lost mass in midwinter. These results have important implications for explaining the divergent distribution patterns of these species on their wintering grounds in China.

Literature type: General

Journal: Goose Bulletin

Volume: 17 , Pages: 2-5.

Language: English

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Full reference: Wang, X., Fox, A.D., Cong, P. & Cao, L. 2013. Recent research on the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus in China. Goose Bulletin: 17, 2-5.

Keywords: winter counts, China, habitat preferences, diett, hydrology, research

Literature type: Scientific

Journal: Ibis

Volume: 155 , Pages: 576–592.

DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12039

Language: English

External Link:

Full reference: Wang, W., Fox, A.D., Cong, P. & Cao, L. 2013. Food constraints explain the restricted distribution of wintering Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus in China. Ibis 155: 576–592. https://www.dx.doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12039

Keywords: food, China, management, East Dongting Lake, energy budget, goose foraging,

Abstract:

More than 90% of the Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus in the Eastern Palearctic flyway population winter at East Dongting Lake, China. To explain this restricted distribution and to understand better the winter feeding ecology and habitat requirements of this poorly known species, we assessed their food availability, diet and energy budgets at this site through two winters. Lesser White-fronted Geese maintained a positive energy budget when feeding on above-ground green production of Eleocharis and Alopecurus in recessional grasslands in autumn and spring to accumulate fat stores. Such food was severely depleted by late November and showed no growth in mid-winter. Geese fed on more extensive old-growth Carex sedge meadows in mid-winter where they were in energy deficit and depleted endogenous fat stores. Geese failed to accumulate autumn fat stores in one year when high water levels prevented the Geese from using recessional grassland feeding areas. Fat stores remained lower throughout that winter and Geese left for breeding areas later in spring than in the previous year, perhaps reflecting the need to gain threshold fat stores for migration. Sedge meadows are widespread at other Yangtze River floodplain wetlands, but recessional grasslands are rare and perhaps restricted to parts of East Dongting Lake, which would explain the highly localized distribution of Lesser White-fronted Geese in China and their heavy use of these habitats at this site. Sympathetic management of water tables is essential to maintain the recessional grasslands in the best condition for Geese. Regular depletion of fat stores whilst grazing sedge meadows in mid-winter also underlines the need to protect the species from unnecessary anthropogenic disturbances that enhance energy expenditure. The specialized diet of the Lesser White-fronted Goose may explain its highly restricted winter distribution and global rarity.

Number of results: 145