More nesting colonies are likely to be established where suitable habitat exists.
They appear to be spreading westward and northward into favoured range of small Canada Geese and White-fronted Geese. Use of other habitats, particularly Carex aquatilis fens, is expected to increase. Populations of all three white geese may experience an increase in the frequency of disease outbreaks in wintering and migration areas, but the mid-continent LSGO population, at least, appears to have the capacity to absorb many such small events without the overall population growth being slowed. Disease mortality effects on populations of other birds sharing these areas may be more detrimental.