Research Begun to Preserve the Natural Heritage of Anticosti Island

(Quebec City, Quebec) – Mr. Claude Drouin, Member of Parliament for La Beauce inaugurated today, on behalf of the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), a new NSERC industrial research chair in partnership with Produits forestiers Anticosti inc. NSERC and Produits forestiers Anticosti will each contribute approximately $1.25 million over five years towards the Chair for the Integrated Management of the Forest Resources of Anticosti Island.

"Anticosti Island's rich flora and fauna make it an important region for all of Canada," said Mr. Drouin. "The aim of the NSERC-Produits forestiers Anticosti research chair is to ensure the effective, sustainable management of the island's forests while also taking into account the impact of wildlife on these forests."

Mr. Richard Bélanger, Chairman of the Board of Produits forestiers Anticosti, declared: "We are delighted to be able to invest $1.25 million over five years in this research chair. We are counting on the results of the research carried out under this chair to ensure the long-term growth of our business, which depends entirely on the sustainable management of the forest and wildlife resources of Anticosti Island."

Dr. Tom Brzustowski, president of NSERC, emphasized the many years of experience that the holder of the new NSERC-Produits forestiers industrial research chair brings to this job: "As a specialist in the forest resources of Anticosti Island, Dr. Huot is the ideal person to investigate ways of reducing the impact of deer on the island's vegetation and to develop practices that encourage the regeneration of its forests."

"The results of our research may be applicable to other regions such as the Eastern Townships and certain Canadian national parks where overpopulations of deer are posing similar problems," said Dr. Huot.

Rector François Tavenas was enthusiastic about the inauguration of this chair: "The chair will afford us the opportunity to train highly qualified personnel in a field that is both a high priority for our institution and an area of concern for people in general, namely sustainable forest management and the conservation of ecosystem biodiversity."

Dr. Huot's research team is already in the field, analyzing the impacts of the deer overpopulations on the island's environment. With the help of the forest industry, whose continued success depends largely on sustainable forest development, the researchers will be able to conduct studies to better understand the effects of deer on forests.

NSERC is the primary federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people in both areas.

For more information on the NSERC-Produits forestiers Anticosti industrial research chair, please contact:

Jean Huot
Professor, Department of Biology
Université Laval
Tel.: (418) 656-2131, Extension 7954
E-mail: Jean.Huot@bio.ulaval.ca

Yasmine El Jamaï
Public Affairs Officer
NSERC Communications
Tel.: (613) 947-5273
E-mail: yasmine.eljamai@nserc.ca