i would like to propose that our lake association look into a goose round up. the feces is not good for our lake, children or dogs. please read the article below. can this subject be brought up at our next association meeting? Eutrophication The United States Geological Survey (2008) defines eutrophication as “a process whereby water bodies such as lakes, estuaries, or slow-moving streams receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth, such as algae and nuisance plant weeds.” Rapid increases in population of algae can lead to death of organisms by limiting the amount of oxygen being dissolved in water systems as plant material decays. Water is then able to become hypoxic or “low in oxygen” (United States Geological Survey 2008). Pettigrew and Hahn et al. (1998) found that “Canada geese feces contain 14 mg of phosphorus and 5.7 mg of nitrogen using dry weight with 80% moisture content” (Pettigrew, Hahn et al. 1998). One study that was performed in Wisconsin discovered that waterfowl droppings can be a contributor to lake eutrophication in shallow lakes (1.5 meters mean depth) and can result in low outflow opportunities (Harris Jr., Ladowski 1981). Studies have found that although waterfowl fecal matter can contribute inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus into fresh water lakes, the feces appeared to have a minimal impact (Pettigrew, Hahn 1998). Other researchers in salt water estuaries have argued that “Canada geese are not a significant source of new nitrogen because they simply recycle nitrogen already in the area. So their impact on estuary eutrophication is minimal at best” (Bowen and Valiela 2004). These studies are counter-intuitive as to how goose fecal matter can be abundant in plant growing nutrients, but not contribute to lake eutrophication in lakes that contain abundant numbers of Canada geese? Unckless and Makarewicz (2007) believe the reason for the argument can be resolved by identifying that fecal matter falls to the bottom of the lake, and are therefore unavailable. They caution, that fecal matter can still contribute to lake eutrophication when seasonal mixing, or human made mixing (boating and jet skies), occurs due to wind or other events that stir up lake sediment up for the bottom of the lake to the top. Converse (1999) identifies multiple suggestive readings that state that small lakes can succumb to eutrophication by Canada goose droppings. French and Parkhurst (2009) state “Where resident goose populations are sizeable (>100 birds), the continuous influx of nutrients contained in Canada goose feces can contribute to the eutrophication of small water bodies, especially those that have restricted cir¬culation and flow-through, which in turn may stimulate algae and weed growth.”
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:41:57 +0000
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