Exploring the effect of nesting Pink-footed geese on arctic vegetation

A study was carried out in the summer of 2011 by an honours student at the University of Aberdeen. The study investigated the effect of the fertilisation caused by the presence of Pink-footed goose nests on plant nitrogen, phosphorus and C:N ratios as well as on plant community species composition.

One metre line-transects had previously been sampled at eighteen Pink-footed goose nests (in 2010) in Sassendalen, Svalbard so in 2011 eighteen paired controls were sampled away from the influence of goose-nests. Leaves from mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) were collected from both nest and control sites for testing for nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios.

The nitrogen and phosphorus in the area of nest influence showed an average increase while the average C:N ratio was significantly lower at the nest sites compared with the control sites. There was found to be a higher percentage cover of cyanobacteria at the goose nests but a lower percentage cover of Cassiope tetragona, Equisetum arvense and moss compared with the control.

The results indicate that geese influence arctic vegetation by locally increasing N and P availability, suggesting that they positively improve the habitat for plants favoured by geese and the palatability of plants. For more detailed information see the Full Report.

Recording data at a goose-nest, Sassendalen, Svalbard © Malcolm Parsons