Use of Bulrush Marshes by Greater Snow Geese during Staging

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Abstract
We studied use of American bulrush (Scirpus americanus) marshes by staging greater snow geese (Chen caerulescens atlantica) along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec [Canada] from 1982 to 1985. In fall, geese were concentrated in no-hunting areas (sanctuaries) and in spring geese fed to a greater extent in marshes adjacent to sanctuaries. During fall staging, distance to the nearest hunters'' blind, softness of the marsh surface, and soil texture appeared to control the number of geese within marshes. In spring, duration of submersion and relative abundance of rock and gravel in different parts of the marshes were negatively correlated with the number of geese, whereas subterranean biomass of American bulrush was positively correlated in 1 year at 1 location. Use of an area by geese during fall may have also decreased use of that area the following spring.