Standing crop in inter-tidal salt marsh zones dominated by Puccinellia phryganodes and Carex subspathacea.
Surveys carried out from Moosonee, Ontario to the Caribou River, Manitoba, in 1993, 1994 and 1995 indicated that the standing crop of many of these inter-tidal marshes where there are large goose colonies was below 35 g m-2, even before hatch of the snow goose goslings. Detailed studies at La Pérouse Bay have shown that where the standing crop is below 30 g m-2, damage to the sward occurs and the geese are unable to forage effectively. Further surveys of the standing crop available to Canada and snow geese are planned to meet the following objectives: (i) Calculations of available forage along 5 km segments of the coastal inter-tidal marsh during June and July; (ii) Detailed studies of standing crop and net primary production within 5 km segments where Canada and snow geese are foraging together; (iii) Estimation of the carrying capacity of these inter-tidal marshes to support breeding populations of geese in the early post-hatch period (0-20 days). After this time, the snow goose goslings are able to utilize a range of forage types.
- revised 10/11/97 -