Ecology and management of overabundant bird populations

我的研究项目的目标是研究过度丰富的鸟类种群的生态学，并在适应性管理的一般框架内评估不同的管理措施。监测建立一个不断增长的鸟类种群，如加拿大大雁在南部魁北克将有助于进一步发展人口调节理论。在未来5年，我建议确定生存，生殖输出和移民对人口增长的相对影响。魁北克南部的加拿大鹅繁殖种群提供了一个独特的机会，以确定何时以及如何密度依赖的影响将发生。 更具体地说，我建议，以确定是否巢址的可用性正在成为一个限制因素的瓦雷恩群岛和人口参数影响人口增长。第二，我想验证是否换羽迁移的温带筑巢鹅从南部安大略和美国东北部的鸟类进入繁殖种群的移民。第三个目的是探讨加拿大鹅混合育雏的机制和适应意义。最后，我想评估重复筑巢失败对鸟类扩散的影响。保护濒危物种的必要性和拟议的措施通常会在科学家、利益相关者和公众之间产生广泛的共识。相比之下，对过度丰富的野生动物种群的管理通常不会在目标和实现目标的手段上达成这样的共识。关于生存和繁殖参数对种群增长的相对影响的知识将有助于管理人员决定通过管理来影响哪些参数。

The objectives of my research program are to study the ecology of overabundant bird populations and to evaluate different management measures within the general framework of adaptive management. Monitoring the establishment of an increasing bird population such as the Giant Canada Geese in southern Quebec will contribute to further develop population regulation theory. In the next 5 years, I propose to determine the relative effects of survival, reproductive output, and immigration on population growth. The breeding population of Canada Geese in southern Quebec offers a unique opportunity to determine when and how density-dependent effects will take place. More specifically, I propose to determine whether nest-site availability is becoming a limiting factor on the Varennes islands and which demographic parameters are influencing population growth. Second, I want to verify whether the moult migration of temperate-nesting geese from southern Ontario and north-eastern United States is linked to immigration of birds into the breeding population. My third objective is to explore the mechanisms and adaptive significance of brood mixing in Canada Geese. Finally, I want to evaluate the impact of repeated nesting failures on bird dispersal. The need and the proposed measures to conserve endangered species usually generate wide consensus among scientists, stakeholders, and the public. In contrast, the management of overabundant wildlife populations does not usually engender such consensus about both the objectives and the means to achieve them. Knowledge about the relative effects of survival and reproductive parameters on population growth will help managers to make decisions about which parameters to influence through management.