Digestive physiology, growth and the nutrition of snow geese and Canada geese.
Geographic expansion of snow goose populations has resulted in increasing overlap with Canada geese on brood rearing areas. A likely consequence of this phenomenon is increasing competition between the two species for food resources, and reductions in the quality and availability of prime forage species. Interspecific differences in body size, growth rates and digestive physiology will ultimately determine which species will fare better on available food resources. We are examining these differences under controlled conditions to determine growth responses of snow geese and Canada geese that vary in protein and fiber content.
- revised 10/11/97 -