The ecology and management of overabundant bird populations

我的研究计划的目标是研究过多鸟类种群的生态，并在适应性管理的总体框架内评估不同的管理措施。在接下来的5年里，我建议研究两个种群，它们具有不同的动态和不同的管理系统。第一系列目标涉及在魁北克南部建立的快速增长的繁殖加拿大鹅的数量。我首先想确定密度依赖效应是否正在影响小鹅的存活率。其次，我想确定父母的身份是否会影响成年鹅在繁殖期后的存活，特别是与针对留宿鹅的特殊狩猎季节有关。最后，我建议调查蜕皮候鸟是否最终会迁入当地繁育的种群。第二系列目标涉及到环嘴鸥的数量稳定，可能正在下降，而在上个世纪末，环嘴鸥的数量呈指数增长。我建议估计幼体和成体的存活率，评估繁殖后扩散的成本和收益，并确定出生和繁殖扩散的程度。我还想比较已经开始在平顶上筑巢的海鸥和那些在自然岛屿上筑巢的海鸥的繁殖产量。了解生存和繁殖参数对种群动态的相对影响将有助于管理者决定是否应该采取行动控制这些种群。如果是这样的话，我们的结果将有助于确定他们应该尝试通过管理影响哪些参数。我的两项研究依赖于评分计划和重视，而不是志愿观察员所能提供的。因此，我将比较不同社会文化群体对公民科学的贡献。

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. In the next 5 years, I propose to study 2 populations that have different dynamics and contrasting management systems. A first series of objectives deal with a rapidly increasing population of breeding Canada geese established in southern Quebec. I first want to determine whether density-dependent effects are affecting gosling survival. Second, I want to establish whether parental status affects adult survival during the post-breeding period, especially in relation with a special hunting season aimed at resident geese. Finally, I propose to investigate whether molt migrants do eventually immigrate into the local breeding population. The second series of objectives involve a stable maybe declining population of ring-billed gulls that have increased exponentially at the end of the last century. I propose to estimate survival rates of juveniles and adults, to evaluate the costs and benefits of post-breeding dispersal and to determine the extent of natal and breeding dispersal. I also want to compare the breeding output of gulls that have started nesting on flat roofs vs. those that are nesting in colonies on natural islands. Knowledge about the relative effects of survival and reproductive parameters on population dynamics will help managers deciding whether actions should be taken to control theses populations. If so, our results will help to establish which parameters they should try influencing through management. My 2 studies rely on marking programs and resightings than can be provided by volunteer observers. I will therefore compare contribution of different socio-cultural groups to citizen science.