Objectives:
- Establishing indicators to monitor long-term biodiversity trends.
- Acquiring scientific data to improve understanding of the environment and guiding informed decision-making.
- Monitoring visits of the Uapishka Mountains (Groulx) and measuring its impact.
- Contributing to the conservation of the protected area.
The Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program encompasses several projects aimed at acquiring knowledge, developing capacity, and designing evidence-based decision-making tools within the Uapishka Biodiversity Reserve.
Here are some of the activities carried out:
Terrestrial flora monitoring:
- GLORIA (Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine environments) international standardized protocol: established in 2022, it enables long-term monitoring of Arctic-alpine vegetation in response to climate change.
- Long-term monitoring of Mount Provencher: vegetation diversity, establishment, and growth are studied in relation to altitude. A collaboration with Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service – Laurentian Forestry Centre.
- Detection and monitoring of invasive alien species and plant species with special status.
Terrestrial wildlife monitoring:
- Monitoring related to herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles), forest birds, large wildlife, species with special status, etc.
- Sampling of spruce budworm populations and monitoring of changes in biodiversity in infected areas.
Climate monitoring:
- Uapishka Mountains climate monitoring network includes various meteorological measurement and monitoring equipment that has been installed to acquire long-term climate data.
Trail footprint on the Uapishka Mountains (Groulx):
- Drone surveys: the summits of Mounts Harfang, Provencher, and Jauffret were photographed by drone. The images are processed using mapping software to monitor changes in alpine vegetation in trampled and untrampled areas.
- Installation of eco-counters: the objective is to obtain data on traffic in the Uapishka Mountains (Groulx). The eco-counters are located at the entrance to the Mount Jauffret access trail, on the Mount Provencher access trail, and on the two Mount Harfang access trails.
Impact for Manicouagan:
This program makes Manicouagan a veritable open-air laboratory for climate change research. It supports informed conservation decision-making and strengthens the ecological resilience of the territory through collaboration between scientists, managers and Indigenous communities.
Inventories are conducted by Concordia University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of New Brunswick in collaboration with Simon Fraser University, the Canadian Forest Service, and the Laurentian Forestry Centre (Natural Resources Canada), the Pacific Forestry Centre, the Government of British Columbia, the Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, the MUBR, the Pessamit Innu Council, the NunatuKavut Community Council, and the Tsay Keh Dene Nation.
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NOTICE—This document was translated from French using AI tools and has been reviewed, but minor errors may persist. Please contact us if you have questions about the content.
