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Zomerganzen - Summering geese management and population counts in
Flanders, Belgium
Sander Devisscher1, Tim Adriaens1, Dimitri Brosens1, Frank Huysentruyt2, Gerald
Driessens3, Peter Desmet1
1 Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Kliniekstraat 25, 1070, Brussels,
Belgium; 2 Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Gaverstraat 4, 9500,
Geraardsbergen, Belgium; 3 Natuurpunt, Coxiestraat 11, 2800, Mechelen , Belgium
Corresponding author(s): Sander Devisscher ([email protected])Tim Adriaens
([email protected])Dimitri Brosens ([email protected])Frank Huysentruyt
([email protected])Gerald Driessens ([email protected] )Peter
Desmet ([email protected])
Received {date}; Revised {date}; Accepted {date}; Published {date}
Citation: Combination of authors, year of data paper publication (in parentheses), Title,
Journal Name, Volume, Issue number (in parentheses), and doi of the data paper.
Resource Citation
Devisscher S, Adriaens T, Brosens D, Huysentruyt F, Driessens G, Desmet P (2016):
Zomerganzen - Summering geese management and population counts in Flanders, Belgium.
v1.0. Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). Dataset/Samplingevent.
http://data.inbo.be/ipt/resource?r=zomerganzen-events&v=1.0
Abstract
Zomerganzen - Summering geese management and population counts in Flanders, Belgium is
a sampling event dataset published by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO).
The dataset contains over 3,700 sampling events, carried out since 2009, mostly in the
months June and July. The data are compiled from different summering geese related
projects, but most data were collected through fieldwork within the framework of the EU
co-funded
Interreg
projects
INVEXO
(http://www.invexo.eu)
and
RINSE
(www.rinse-europe.eu). Since 2015, data collection is funded by INBO. The dataset includes
close to 5,000 presence occurrences, as well as over 15,000 absence occurrences. The
sampling protocol for the majority of the occurrences are simultaneous counts. Here, the
number of individuals of different geese species in a fixed set of areas is determined. Counts
are performed within the same weekend to avoid double counting. Simultaneous counts were
organised yearly since 2008 and take place the first weekend after July 15, the best period for
monitoring the summering population of geese. These counts are performed by professional
INBO employees as well as experienced birdwatchers from Natuurpunt using a standardized
field
protocol.
Data
are
recorded
in
a
citizen
science
portal
(http://waarnemingen.be/waarnemingen_projecten.php?project=231). However, The dataset
also comprises opportunistic field observations from the same portal outside this period.
Furthermore, data are derived from management actions, such as fertility reduction (egg
shaking and pricking), the use of Larsen traps (for Egyptian goose), and the execution of
moult captures. Here, the individuals in the dataset were actually removed from the
environment. The aim of the data collection is management follow-up and evaluation.
Consequently, caution is advised when using these data for trend analysis, distribution range
calculation, niche modeling or other. Issues with the dataset can be reported at
https://github.com/LifeWatchINBO/data-publication/tree/master/datasets/zomerganzen-event
s
Keywords: Samplingevent, invasive alien species, summering geese, monitoring, citizen
science
General description
Purpose: Impact scoring for established non-native birds in Europe has shown Canada goose
(Branta canadensis) to have the highest environmental, economic (agricultural damage) and
social impact of all non-native birds species. Among the ecological effects are overgrazing,
fouling, trampling of vegetation such as reed beds and meadows, bioturbiation of oligitrophic
fens and pathogen transmission. Also, geese cause agricultural damage and nuisance in
recreational areas. Management of invasive geese in the region (western Flanders, eastern
Flanders, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen) was, until recently, mainly done by egg pricking and hunting.
Within the framework of the EU co-funded Interreg projects Invexo and RINSE, the
coordination of egg pricking and hunting was enhanced and additional moult captures
(n=131) were performed on a larger cross-border scale. Moult captures were very successful
for Canada geese, with a total of 7829 caught between 2010 and 2013. Greylag geese (Anser
anser), although comparable in density, tended to move away from catching sites during the
moulting season. In relation to density, catch success for feral goose (Anser anser f.
domestica) was high. Barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) moult later and were therefore only
caught in very low numbers. The reported numbers of Canada geese culled by hunters also
increased in the same period with over 7000 birds shot per season. The overall impact of the
combined management efforts was assessed by annual simultaneous counts of the geese
populations in the region using a fixed sample of counting areas. Trends in the average
number of geese per municipality and per year were modelled using gee-GLMs. This showed
a significant decrease in the number of Canada and feral goose since the beginning of the
projects. In East Flanders, where moult captures were applied most intensively, a significant
yearly decrease was noted. Here, the modeled decline was in line with the trend in the
absolute numbers of Canada geese which showed a 40 % reduction since 2010. For the
species caught in high numbers, the impact was significant over four years, and related to
catch effort. Although suggesting a link between moult captures and population numbers this
approach would assume other management efforts to be evenly applied over the project area,
which was not the case. Moreover, the absolute number of geese in the entire area hardly
decreased in the last year. Recent research indicates that Canada geese disperse over large
distances within Europe, blurring effects of a local action over the years. Goose captures were
performed within the EU co-funded Interreg Invexo (http://www.invexo.eu) (2010-2012) and
the Interreg 2Seas project RINSE (http://www.rinse-europe.eu) (2012-2014), which seeks to
improve awareness of the threats posed by INNS, and the methods to address them. Future
work will be to upscale management and implement adaptive management backed by
population models and thorough monitoring. This requires continued investment in
prevention, awareness raising and generating public support.
Additional information: We strongly believe an open attitude is essential for tackling the
IAS problem (Groom et. al 2015). To allow anyone to use this dataset, we have released the
data to the public domain under a Creative Commons Zero waiver
(http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). We would appreciate it however if you
read and follow these norms for data use (http://www.inbo.be/en/norms-for-data-use) and
provide a link to the original dataset (http://dataset.inbo.be/zomerganzen-events) whenever
possible. If you use these data for a scientific paper, please cite the dataset following the
applicable citation norms and/or consider us for co-authorship. We are always interested to
know how you have used or visualized the data, or to provide more information, so please
contact us via the contact information provided in the metadata, [email protected] or
https://twitter.com/LifeWatchINBO.
Project details
Project title: Summering geese management and population counts in Flanders, Belgium
Funding: The data were compiled from different summering geese related projects:
2009-2012 INVEXO (http://www.invexo.eu, Invasive species in Flanders and the southern
part of The Netherlands), Interreg project co-funded by the European Regional Development
fund (EFRO)
2012-2014 RINSE (www.rinse-europe.eu, Reducing the Impact of Non-native Species in
Europe), Interreg IVA 2 Seas project co-funded by the European Regional Development fund
(EFRO)
Since 2015, data collection is funded by INBO (INBOPRJ-10201).
Data published through GBIF: http://data.inbo.be/ipt/resource?r=zomerganzen-events
Taxonomic coverage
General taxonomic coverage description: All 20 species (and some subspecies and
hybrids) in this dataset belong to the waterfowl family Anatidae. More than 80% of the
occurrences are swans and true geese (subfamily Anserinae). Some individuals were not
identified to species (e.g. unknown hybrids, eggs).
Taxonomic ranks
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Species: Alopochen aegyptiacus, Anas platyrhynchos, Anser albifrons, Anser anser, Anser
brachyrhynchus, Anser caerulescens, Anser cygnoides, Anser erythropus, Anser fabalis,
Anser indicus, Branta bernicla, Branta canadensis, Branta hutchinsii, Branta leucopsis, Branta
ruficollis, Cairina moschata, Chenonetta jubata, Chloephaga picta, Cygnus olor, Oxyura
jamaicensis
Common names: animals, birds, ducks, geese & swans, Egyptian goose, mallard, greater
white-fronted goose, greylag goose, pink-footed goose, snow goose, swan goose, lesser
white-fronted goose, bean goose, bar-headed goose, brent goose, Canada goose, cackling
goose, barnacle goose, red-breasted goose, Muscovy duck, Australian wood duck, Magellan
goose, mute swan, ruddy duck
Spatial coverage
General spatial coverage: In the initial stages, data from the simultaneous counts of
summering geese were gathered at the level of the two westernmost provinces in Flanders
(West Flanders, East Flanders), as these were considered in the Invexo and RINSE project's
area. These are provincies with high numbers of summering geese, with several species under
management (greater Canada goose, Egyptian goose, greylag goose). Here, a set of counting
areas with confirmed presence of geese was selected and maintained as the sample study area
over the years. Since 2014, management has been upscaled to other provinces. Therefore,
counts are organised at the level of the whole Flanders region since.
Coordinates: 50°40'48''N and 51°30'36''N Latitude; 2°32'24''E and 5°55'12''E Longitude
Living time period: 2010-06-22 - now
Methods
Method step description: To allow reliable comparisons between years and areas, the counts
are aimed for maximum standardization. Not all areas are counted every year. The aim is a
yearly coverage of 65% of the areas. Trend calculations based on these census data therefore
requires taking into account area and year effects.
Study extent description: Flanders. Scope: management evaluation based on management
results reporting and standardized monitoring census data. Species: greylag goose, feral
domesticated goose, barnacle goose, Egyptian goose, greater Canada goose, other non-native
goose species (bar-headed goose, Magellan goose).
Sampling description: This dataset contains data from several types of goose management
as well as monitoring data. Management is performed with one of several methods:
- Moult captures: during the moulting period (June-July), when the geese tend to congregate
on open water, geese are trapped in large numbers with corral traps.
- Larsson trap captures: for Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus). The data are from a
floating Larsson-like trap using a live decoy bird. Traps are checked daily for any caught
specimens and bycatch.
- Fertility reduction: the eggs are mostly pricked with a nail so the animal remains on the
nest, sometimes eggs are shaken to destroy the embryo.
Monitoring is performed using the following census method:
- Simultaneous counts in summer (1st weekend after 15 July, a date which is set in
accordance with the regions surrounding Flanders): multiple volunteers from bird working
groups (Natuurpunt vzw) perform simultaneous count (within the same weekend) of a list of
the more important goose sites (west and east flanders 2009-2013, Flanders since 2014).
Counts are coordinated by the ngo Natuurpunt and a citizen science portal
(http://waarnemingen.be/waarnemingen_projecten.php?project=231) is used for standardized
data input and feedback to volunteers. Only when a site was completely surveyed for all of
these species the observation was given the "Simultaneous count" - sample type.
- Counts of geese at moulting sites (June 2012): during one day 8 teams of specialists visited
every pond in the province of West-Flanders with a surface area of 5 hectares or more in
search of groups of moulting geese. Also big streams where inventoried.
- Field observations: These contain occurrences from 2 different sources: (1) counts carried
out 3 days prior to or after the simultaneous counts weekend within the borders of any of the
sites of intrest. These aren't necessarily completely surveyed for all species and should
therefore be treated as loose, opportunistic observations, and (2) counts carried out during the
simultaneous counts weekend within the borders of any of the sites of intrest but
incompletely surveyed for all the species.
Quality control description: The fieldwork is performed by skilled volunteer birdwatchers,
often working together within local bird clubs. The NGO Natuurpunt (http://natuurpunt.be)
supports the majority of these bird clubs and volunteers, and thereby delivers an important
contribution to the project. Quality control on the data was performed by Natuurpunt Studie
vzw. Additionally, all the data was validated by experts from the Research Institute for
Nature and Forest (INBO).
Datasets
Dataset description
Object name: Darwin Core Archive Zomerganzen - Summering geese management and
population counts in Flanders, Belgium
Character encoding: UTF-8
Format name: Darwin Core Archive format
Format version: 1.0
Distribution: http://data.inbo.be/ipt/archive.do?r=zomerganzen-events
Publication date of data: 2016-01-22
Language: English
Licences of use: To the extent possible under law, the publisher has waived all rights to these
data
and
has
dedicated
them
to
the
<a
href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode">Public Domain (CC0
1.0)</a>. Users may copy, modify, distribute and use the work, including for commercial
purposes, without restriction.
Metadata language: English
Date of metadata creation: 2016-01-22
Hierarchy level: Dataset
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