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List of Scientific Permits in Gatineau Park
A number of scientific researchers work inconspicuously on research studies in Gatineau Park’s protected natural habitat. But just because the research is scientific does not mean that anything is permitted. On the contrary, a permit for scientific research is issued for each research application approved (approximately 30 per year). In this way, the evolution of the work can be monitored and conditions set for the subject and area in which the research is to be conducted. Research findings are usually published and made available to the public.
Research conducted by:
- the public sector
- universities
- independent researchers and the private sector
LIST OF MAIN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PERMITS ISSUED IN 2004-2005
RESULTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
GATINEAU PARK
|
Title of Scientific Research Project |
Agency Responsible |
Results and Highlights |
| Sampling of the insects of the beaver meadow south of Ramsay Lake |
Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaEastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre Resource person: |
According to the report received for 2003, one insect of the Carabidae family, the Prerostichus corrusculus Leconte, was inventoried in the beaver meadow south of Ramsay Lake. It is the second known location for this species in Canada. |
|
Documenting the distribution and biology of insects in Canada |
Agriculture and Canada Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre Resource person: |
According to a report published in the December 2002 issue of Fabreries, the Melissodes apicata bee is mentioned for the first time in Quebec based on observations and captures in the Outaouais. |
| Detection of trends in the acidification of surface water at Clair Lake |
Environment Canada St. Lawrence Centre Resource person: |
Environment Canada monitors the acidity level of several Quebec lakes, including Clair Lake in Gatineau Park. According to the last report received, the sulphate concentrations in Quebec lakes decreased by an average of 33% between 1985 and 1997, following the reduction in sulphur emissions in Canada and the United States. Sulphate concentrations are identified as the main contributor to the acidification of aquatic ecosystems. The Outaouais region is considered to be moderately sensitive to acid rain, and three of the four lakes sampled, including Clair Lake, show increased alkalinity, which indicates a recovery of the aquatic ecosystems. |
| Study of seasonal changes in carbon isotopes in maple leaves and herbs |
Natural Resources Canada Resource person: |
Report to follow. |
|
Study of the dynamics and functioning mechanisms of the main forest ecosystems in Quebec (RESEF-Réseau de surveillance des écosystèmes forestiers) |
Ministère des Ressources naturelles- Forêt Québec Resource person: |
The Réseau de surveillance des écosystèmes forestiers du Québec (RESEF) includes three permanent study sites in Gatineau Park. According to the article Basal Area Growth of Sugar Maple in Relation to Acid Deposition, Stand Health, and Soil Nutrients, the sugar maples in site 702 located in the Park are not in decline but are experiencing slight growth. |
|
Study on the health of trees; list of insects and tree diseases |
Ministère des Ressources naturelles - Forêt Québec Resource person: |
According to the report Natural restoration of the tree cover in maple stands affected by the 1998 ice storm – highlights after five years, the trees are showing encouraging signs of recovery. It is estimated that 89% of trees that had kept 20% or more of their branches after the ice storm have survived. The heavily damaged trees that were still benefiting from the shade of neighbouring trees were more likely to recover than other subjects that were also affected but located in open spaces and more exposed to sun and hydric stress. |
| Collection of seeds from the American white ash and red oak for genetic enhancement |
Ministère des Ressources naturelles–Forêt Québec Resource person: |
No report expected. |
| Monitoring the status of plants of three species at risk relocated in the Park in 2002/2003, namely the Broad-leaved Sedge, Prickly Hornwort and Downy rattlesnake-plantain. |
Ministère des transports du Québec Resource person: |
Report to follow |
| Distribution, abundance and conservation of the Gatineau tadpole snail (Physa gyrina latchfordi), a snail potentially at risk in Canada, and a study of freshwater mussels in the Park |
Canadian Museum of Nature Resource person: |
According to the report Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) and the Gatineau tadpole snail (Physidae) at Meech Lake, Gatineau Park – distribution and abundance (2001-2003), 308 Gatineau tadpole snails were inventoried at Meech Lake at 15 sampling sites. Three species of freshwater mussels were inventoried at Meech Lake (heavy-toothed wedge mussel, eastern elliptio and Anodonta sp.). This is the first mention of the heavy-toothed wedge mussel at Meech Lake. Only six live individuals of this species have been inventoried compared to 2,000 individuals of eastern elliptio and 135 of Anodonta sp. |
|
List of burrow trace fossils for the purpose of reconstructing the spatial distribution of fauna in the postglacial period |
Canadian Museum of Nature Resource person: |
Report to follow. |
|
Collection of fish specimens in the context of the review of McAllister and Coad’s Fishes of Canada’s National Capital Region |
Canadian Museum of Nature Resource person: |
Report to follow. |
| Identifying the patterns of atmospheric conditions over the past 10,000 years through sediment deposited annually at Pink’s Lake |
Carleton University Resource person: |
Report to follow. |
| Study of the impact of a non-native insect, the lily leaf beetle, on plants of the liliaceous family |
Carleton University Resource person: |
Report to follow. |
| Determine and map the response of the Park’s forest ecosystems to the January 1998 ice storm |
Carleton University Resource person: |
According to Douglas King’s oral presentation during the meeting with scientific researchers (March 2004), after the ice storm, there are 10.5% more sugar maples in the lots studied and 47.8% fewer American white ash. The species of trees most severely affected by the ice storm are the ash, beech, black cherry, hop hornbeam, red maple, poplar and linden. In other respects, the health index of forest stands under study noted in 2000 is significantly better than that observed in 1998 following the storm. Most trees are recovering well. |
| Demographic study of a species at risk, the eastern timber wolf (Canis lupus lycaon) |
Carleton University Resource persons: |
Report to follow. |
| Study on the cultivation of medicinal forest herbaceous plants for the purpose of anticipating supply in the natural environment |
Université Laval Resource person: |
Report to follow. |
| Study of the limits to the dispersal and establishment of the blunt lobed woodsia (Woodsia obtusa subspecies obtusa), a fern at risk in Quebec and Canada, and research to identify other populations in Gatineau Park |
Université du Québec à Montréal Resource persons: |
According to the last report received, the most important environmental conditions for the blunt lobed woodsie are warm microclimates (south-facing slopes with a semi-open forest cover). No significant difference was observed between the characteristics of the microhabitats occupied and unoccupied by this species. Its rarity may therefore by due to its capacity for dispersal and colonization of a site. |
| Monitoring frog populations in Gatineau Park by following a route comprised of 10 listening stations |
Société d’histoire naturelle du Saint-Laurent Resource person: |
Two striped chorus frog individuals, a species at risk in Quebec, were identified by song in the spring of 2000. The other species inventoried are the American toad, Eastern grey treefrog, spring peeper, wood frog, leopard frog, green frog and the bullfrog. This monitoring is part of a provincial inventory of amphibian populations. |
| Study of orchids: Hellebore-like epipactis (Epipactis helleborine), yellow lady’s- slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens) and stemless lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium acaule) | Independent researcher Marilyn Light |
Report to follow. |
|
Study of downy rattlesnake-plantain (at risk) and platanthera hookeri orchids Study of the plant composition of a small fen at Black Lake |
Independent researchers |
Report to follow. |
| Inventory of species of polypores and related fungi in the Park | Independent researcher Otto Loesel |
88 species have been reported (Decembre 2004) |
| Study of the feeding ecology of the pileated woodpecker in a temperate deciduous forest | Independent researcher Carl Savignac |
Report to follow. |
LIST OF POTENTIAL PROJECTS/STUDIES
THAT MIGHT BE CARRIED OUT BY PARTNERS
FROM THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
GATINEAU PARK
January 13, 2004
| OBJECT | DISCIPLINES |
PRIORITIES |
| Study related to the Park’s biodiversity | Ecology, Biology… |
1-1 |
| Study related to the identification of important natural ecosystems/habitats | Ecology, Biology… |
1-2 |
|
Studies of plant or animal species at risk (distribution, population estimate, habitat description/quality, potential habitats…) |
Mammalogy, Botany, Ecology, Biology… |
1-3 |
|
White-tailed deer studies: carrying capacity study, yard inventory, population inventory, impact of browsing on plant species at risk on the Eardley Escarpment, monitoring winter conditions and white-tailed deer mortality rate |
Ecology, Biology, Botany… |
1-4 |
| Baseline inventory of important natural ecosystems/habitats | Ecology, Biology… |
1-5 |
| Study on a particular wildlife habitat (ref.: Regulation respecting wildlife habitats C.61.1, r.0.1.5) (ex: heron rookeries, spawning grounds - particularly the spawning grounds of recreational fish species) | Ecology, Biology… |
1-6 |
| Study of Gatineau Park’s black bear population | Ecology, Biology, Mammalogy… |
2-1 |
| Limnological and ecological studies of La Pêche, Philippe, Meech, Taylor and Pink Lakes | Limnology, Ichtyology,… |
2-2 |
| Identify and inventory non-native and invasive flora (ex. Study on the distribution and impact of Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and/or purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)) | Botany, Ecology… |
2-3 |
| Produce a list of species that are indicators of the health of Gatineau Park habitats, by class (mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, vegetation…), and determine a monitoring methodology | Ecology, Biology, Ecotoxicology… |
2-4 |
| Monitoring of indicator species for health of habitats | Ecology, Biology, Ecotoxicology… |
2-5 |
| Inventory of nesting sites for birds protected by the Migratory Birds Act | Ornithology |
2-6 |
| Monitoring of the lake trout population in Meech Lake | Ichtyology, Limnology… |
2-7 |
| Study of pike fishing intensity at La Pêche Lake (ice fishing) | Ichtyology, Limnology… |
2-8 |
| Identify water quality indicators for Gatineau Park streams and La Pêche River | Limnology, Ecology, Biology, Ecotoxicology… |
2-9 |
| Monitor water quality indicators for Park streams and La Pêche River | Limnology, Ecology, Biology, Ecotoxicology… |
2-10 |
| Inventory of flora and fauna associated with important wetlands | Botany, Mammalogy, Entomology, Ecology, Ornithology… |
2-11 |
| Evaluate unofficial trails (identify, map and determine impact/types of use) | Ecology, Geography, Geology… |
2-12 |
| Identify natural corridors linked to the Park and evaluate the ecological importance of these links | Ecology, Environment… |
2-13 |
| Evaluate the environmental condition of islands at La Pêche, Philippe and Meech Lakes | Ecology, Environment,… |
2-14 |
| Studies on insect infestations and their effect on the Park’s habitats (ex: gypsy moth, spruce budworm…) | Forestry, Entomology, Ecology… |
2-15 |
| Study on the presence of blue algae (cyanobacteria) in La Pêche, Philippe and Meech Lakes. If these algae are detected, evaluate if toxins are associated with them |
Limnology, Microbiology,… |
2-16 |
| Determine if Lyme disease is present in the Park’s white-tailed deer population | Mammalogy, Ecology, Biology… |
2-17 |
| Study of the medium- and long-term impact of the 1998 ice storm | Forestry, Biology, Ecology… |
3-1 |
| Coyote population and habitat inventory | Mammalogy, Ecology, Biology… |
3-2 |
| Identify the impact of coyote predation on the Park’s fauna | Mammalogy, Ecology, Biology… |
3-3 |
| Identif y the impact of wolf predation on the Park’s fauna | Mammalogy, Ecology, Biology… |
3-4 |
| Identification/cartography and significance of the important geological features | Geology |
3-5 |
| Identify the Park’s old (100+ years) forests/trees | Botany, Forest Ecology… |
3-6 |
| Inventory of the fauna and flora associated with fallow land | Mammalogy, Entomology, Botany, Ecology… |
3-7 |
| Studies on insect species at risk(ex. Study of the population and distribution of the Juniper hairstreak (Mitoura gryneus)) | Entomology,Ecology, Biology… |
3-8 |
Contacts:
Jocelyne Jacob
Senior Biologist
Gatineau Park
(819) 827-6018
Isabelle Beaudoin-Roy
Biologist
Gatineau Park
(819) 827-6021