Agricultural:
Geese both trample on and graze many agricultural crops. This can lead to loss or reduction of a crop in any given year.
Health and Human Safety:
Canada goose feces can possess the human pathogens E. coli, Giardia species and Salmonella species, however potential risk of transmission to humans is uncertain. It seems that much of the concern surrounding safety may be perceived, rather than legitimate.
Property Damage/Loss of Use:
Resident Canada geese have the potential to damage turf in public and private spaces to often-intolerable levels. Goose dropping levels often reach volumes that prohibit recreational activity on fields and beaches.
Natural Resource Damage:
One major negative impact caused by Canada goose overpopulation is degradation of water quality in the bodies near where the geese graze. Excessive feces in the water can lead to algae blooms and thus oxygen depletion. This can negatively affect water dependent plant and animal species.
The bottom line seems to be that regardless of the impact that Canada geese actually have on the local environment, people will seek to eliminate them if they are inconveniencing the community in any way. |