Graduation date: 2007
Low reproductive success has been typical of high elevation populations of the Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis) or nēnē. Researchers identified predation and inadequate nutrition as limiting factors. Reproductive success remained low in most years despite on-going predator control programs. I used a supplemental feeding program over two breeding seasons in 2001-2003 at Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawai‘i to determine if increased nutritional resources would influence reproductive success. I used field observations of marked nēnē to track activity at feeding stations and to monitor nests and broods. To evaluate reproductive success I compared nest success and recruitment between breeding pairs that used supplemental food and those that did not. Reproductive success was higher for breeding pairs that used supplemental food during a year of severe weather (heavy rainfall and greater percentage of low temperature days) but did not differ between groups during the year of mild weather. I concluded that for this high elevation population, reproductive success was limited by nutrition and weather, and that weather in particular strongly influenced the importance of nutrition. Habitat management to provide nutritious forage is recommended to improve and sustain the reproductive performance of this population.