Non-Migratory Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) pose serious risks to the ecological integrity of many estuaries on Vancouver Island. Seasonal migration allows for seasonal grazing to be mitigated by months of regrowth and stability. However, without this rest period, grasses can be over grazed thus leading to the decline in species richness. Therefore restoration efforts are in the works in many of these coastal estuaries with introduced, non migratory Branta Canadensis. One such restoration effort is seen in my study. Geese-free enclosures, stick woven fenced areas that aim to reduce herbivory and aid restoration. I want to find out if these enclosures are working.
I collected my initial data on the estuarine sedge species Dulichium arundinaceum inside the “geese free enclosures”. A transect was made lengthwise down the middle of the study area as enclosure #1 is long and narrow. Quadrants were then measured for presence/absence of Dulichium arundinaceum at 2 meter increments along the transect. Enclosure #2 was transected multiple times as it was more circular. Transects were spaced apart at 2 meter increments and once again quadrants were placed 2 meters apart forming a grid. I’m lucky that the tidal flats are an optimal place to use transects, making it very easy to evenly space quadrants.
My control plots have still yet to be placed and measured. I have a variety of concerns on my placement of measurements. A couple factors that will influence my placement are elevation, I need to be sure that exposure to brackish water is similar across the experiment. Another will be proximity to enclosures. Even though geese do have access to the area surrounding the plots, I have to believe that these anthropogenic structures may still influence behaviour near to them, and thus influence the study.
So far without data we can not compare between the enclosures and control plots. However, upon visual inspection we can see a reasonable correlation with my hypothesis.