Combining modelling tools to evaluate a goose management scheme

Authored by Jesper Madsen, Johannes M Baveco, Anne-Kari Bergjord, Jarle W Bjerke, Magda E Chudzinska, Loic Pellissier, Caroline E Simonsen, Ingunn M Tombre, Bart A Nolet

Date Published: 2017

DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-0899-5

Sponsors: Norwegian Research Council (NRF)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Many goose species feed on agricultural land, and with growing goose numbers, conflicts with agriculture are increasing. One possible solution is to designate refuge areas where farmers are paid to leave geese undisturbed. Here, we present a generic modelling tool that can be used to designate the best locations for refuges and to gauge the area needed to accommodate the geese. With a species distribution model, locations are ranked according to goose suitability. The size of the area to be designated as refuge can be chosen by including more or less suitable locations. A resource depletion model is then used to estimate whether enough resources are available within the designated refuge to accommodate all geese, taking into account the dynamics of food resources, including depletion by geese. We illustrate this with the management scheme for pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus implemented in Norway. Here, all geese can be accommodated, but damage levels appear to depend on weather, land use and refuge size.
Tags
Individual-based model Scotland Populations Winter Pink-footed geese Spring migration Habitat choice Central norway Components Grassland Goose-agriculture conflict Pink-footed goose Refuge areas Resource depletion model Species distribution model Yield loss