Canada Geese Population and
Habitat Study
Lab Objectives:
1.
Assist city of Waynesboro with geese
population count study pre and post
riverbank stabilization project.
2.
Determine preferred habitats for geese and
factors that influence their population.
3.
Research the effects of geese populations on the South River.
In this study you will be responsible for counting geese populations at three different sites.
Behaviors to consider
Sparring/fighting
Lying
Feeding
Playing
Courtship behaviors/copulating
Vocalizing
Urinating/defecating
Grooming
Aggression toward members of their own flock
Defending territory (aggression towards other not in their flock)
Interactions with outsiders
Pawing/scraping
Sampling methods for behaviors:
1.
Ad-libitum Sampling: Record the behaviors of individuals or groups with little or no
reference to specific, well-defined methods. This is a good method for initial observations and
question formation for later research, but is limited in the quantity and quality of data produced.
2.
All-Occurrences Sampling: The researcher selects one or a few specific behavioral events
and records every occurrence of that (those) behavior(s) within the animal group (every
occurrence of grooming, chasing, etc.). This technique is especially useful in determining the rate,
frequency, or synchrony of occurrence of specific behaviors.
Methods:
1. At each location describe in as much detail the habitat and climate of the area occupied by
the geese.
2. Count the geese and use the city provided recording sheet to correctly submit your data.
3. Use ad-libitum sampling for 5 minutes to determine the general behavior of the geese.
4. Based on the data gathered in step 3 determine two behaviors that you would like to study
at each location. This behavior should help you in answering the lab objectives below. You are
trying to determine if certain habitats affect geese behavior positively or negatively.
Behavioral Data Collection
Collection Site 1
Number of geese in the area ________________
Approximate size of the area occupied by the geese_____________________
1
Describe the habitat (sunny/shaded, near water or not, vegetation present, rocks, sand, grass, flat, sloped,
etc.
Describe the weather conditions:
Ad-libitum Sampling (5 min) for collection site 1:
Behavior
Data Table 1: All-Occurrence Sampling of Behavior at Collection Site 1
Tallies for times observed
Data was collected for ___________________ minutes.
Notes and Additional Information:
Final Total
Behavioral Data Collection
Collection Site 2
Number of geese in the area ________________
Approximate size of the area occupied by the geese_____________________
2
Describe the habitat (sunny/shaded, near water or not, vegetation present, rocks, sand, grass, flat, sloped,
etc.
Describe the weather conditions:
Ad-libitum Sampling (5 min) for collection site 2:
Behavior
Data Table 2: All-Occurrence Sampling of Behavior at Collection Site 2
Tallies for times observed
Data was collected for ___________________ minutes.
Notes and Additional Information:
Final Total
Behavioral Data Collection
Collection Site 3
Number of geese in the area ________________
Approximate size of the area occupied by the geese_____________________
3
Describe the habitat (sunny/shaded, near water or not, vegetation present, rocks, sand, grass, flat, sloped,
etc.
Describe the weather conditions:
Ad-libitum Sampling (5 min) for collection site 3:
Behavior
Data Table 3: All-Occurrence Sampling of Behavior at Collection Site 3
Tallies for times observed
Data was collected for ___________________ minutes.
Notes and Additional Information:
Final Total
Discussion (Were you able to draw any conclusions about geese habitat preferences? Explain
why or why not!! What habitats do you think geese prefer and why? )
Challenges: What were some challenges that you faced during this field experiment. What additional
research would you need to do to confirm your initial findings.