Data for: Grazing effects of wintering geese on grassland yield: A long-term study from NW-Germany

Conflicts between grassland farming and wintering geese stimulated a long-term study on goose-dependent yield losses. In the period 1996-2018 the loss of dry biomass of the first harvest increased from ca. 15 % to 50 % which corresponds with changes in the number and migratory behaviour of the barnacle goose. In contrast we found no decline in grassland yields with increasing number of greater white-fronted geese. The second harvest was not affected by wintering geese. The present study forms the basis for a fair and comprehensible system of compensation payments fo affected farmers.