Arctic geese, known as Pacific brant, normally migrate south for the winter in order to avoid the harsh Alaskan winters. Not so this year. The geese have canceled their plans and are perfectly content to remain where they are, thanks to a warming planet. This may not seem like a big deal, but there are implications . . .
Changing winds have been accompanied by warmer weather, which means less ice covering Izembek’s eel grass-rich waters. It’s a buffet for the brant, which can feast through the winter without having to make the arduous journey several thousand miles south and back.
Come spring they are the first birds back to the breeding grounds, and often the most successful at raising their young.
In fact, conditions are so good that the geese run the risk of overpopulating, according to Robert Trost of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Portland, Ore. The Pacific brant population hasn’t grown much in size over the years, but an increasing food supply could lead to an explosion of birds in the next few years.
“Throughout North America and parts of Asia, geese are most influenced by springtime conditions,” he said.
As spring thaws creep earlier in the calendar, geese will be able to raise larger clutches of young.
The honeymoon isn’t likely to last. Brant and many other species that live on coastlines could soon see their habitats flooded by sea level rise and swallowed by rampant erosion, two consequences of human-induced global warming.
“Right now it’s conjecture to say what the long-term impact will be, but the prognosis is not so good,” Trost said.
