The lake was thawing, the early spring sun reflected it's glare. Two Canadian Geese had just landed, one plumeting through the air. The other nestled beside her lifeless mate, silent in the reeds. His still form no longer receptive to his mate's nurturing needs. She rested beside him, nudging softly, waiting for the same. Eyes blinking, not comprehending, waiting, but nothing came. They had been joined together by nature's force to always be as one. The pair had traveled many miles, through rain, sleet and sun. She picked a blade of new green grass and tried to make him eat, but gradually accepted fate, then laid it at his feet. She glanced along the shoreline for a place to make a nest, as instinct took over and nature did the rest. The brilliant sun began to fade into the distant shore, casting shadows where she'd live, alone, forever more.
(c) 1998 Eula M. Slauson
PART I
I would like you to diagram a complete Long Island ecosystem. Included in this ecosystem must be a grazing food web, containing at least 2 food chains, each of which includes the Canada Geese. You need to provide the specific names of organisms, and the trophic level they are on. The following websites will provide information that will help you. This is a large part of this assignment, so make it look good.
The numbers of Canada Geese inhabiting New York State, especially the lower Hudson Valley and Long Island, have been increasing for many years. The population growth is the result of "resident" geese, which nest and winter in the same general area, and have well adapted to living in urban and suburban areas. These geese are part of a population that is distinctly different from the populations of migrant Canada geese which breed in northern Canada and follow traditional migration routes to winter on Long Island and states to the south. Based on the information in the websites above, come up with several reasons as to why there has been an increase in the number of resident Canada geese on Long Island.
PART III
Canada geese have many benefits. They are a very attractive, large bird whose biannual migrations between northern nesting grounds and southern wintering areas are traditional harbingers of spring and fall. For countless people, watching and feeding waterfowl is a frequently enjoyed recreational activity. Unfortunately, many East coast American suburanites and business people perceive the Canada geese as just common pests, no different than rats. In 2002, 700 Canada Geese in Belmont Lake State Park were rounded up and killed, and used for food for poor people.
A. Discuss 5 negative consequences of large concentrations of geese. B. Discuss 5 different techniques that landowners could use to reduce nuisance goose problems.
So how do you feel about all the geese wandering around our athletic fields? Many physical education teachers and atheletes wish they weren't there. Recently the Sachem School District got a dog to harass the geese. Others think the presence of wildlife is a magnificent thing. How do you feel ? What do you think ? Write an essay on this topic.
