Nattligt habitatutnyttjande hos grågås (Anser anser) i Kristianstad

: Årstidsvariation i användningen av jordbruksmark och våtmarker

Abstract

The increasing number of greylag geese (Anser anser) wintering in Sweden over recent decades has led to growing conflicts between agriculture and conser-vation, as more geese remain for longer periods and exploit farmland where their foraging can damage crops. This issue is particularly relevant in Skåne, where a large share of Sweden’s agricultural production is concentrated and where compensation payments to landowners for goose-related crop damage have increased substantially. To develop effective management strategies, improved knowledge of how greylag geese use different habitats throughout the year is required. The aim of this study was to examine how greylag geese wintering in Kristianstad uses agricultural land in relation to wetlands during nighttime, and how this varies across seasons. Seasonal variation in habitat use can be expected, as factors such as food availability, climatic conditions, and the geese’s nutritional requirements vary throughout the year and are likely to influence their movement patterns. The study is based on 141,586 GPS positions from eight geese collected between 2017 and 2025, all residing in the Kristianstad area year-round. Nighttime locations were classified by habitat type and season. 92% of positions occurred in wetlands and 8% on agricultural land. A two-way ANOVA was used to test for seasonal differences in farmland use. Results indicated significant variation, with greater use of agricultural land in spring compared to summer. This study enhances understanding of habitat selection and provides valuable insights for farmers and wildlife managers planning mitigation measures in agricultural landscapes surrounding wetlands in southern Sweden for management.

Date of Award	2026-Jun
Original language	Swedish
Awarding Institution	Faculty of Natural Science
Supervisor	Camilla Olsson (Supervisor) & Ingemar Jönsson (Examiner)