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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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MONT SAINT HILAIRE |
 © Photo: François Gagnon |
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| General Description |
Located about 32 km east of Montreal, Mont Saint-Hilaire is a steep-sided circular formation rising some 250 meters above the Saint Lawrence plain. It comprises one of the last remnants of old growth deciduous forest in Quebec and hosts many rare and endangered species. The biosphere reserve is located near a major urban region of some 3.5 million people. Increasing urban development around Mont Saint-Hilaire and a growing number of visitors has led to the multiplication of human disturbances (e.g. illicit trails) and fragmentation of the forest which once covered the entire Richelieu Valley. Tourism and agriculture are important contributors to the economies of the five towns which are part of the transition area. The protection of the greenbelt and forest corridors which surround Mount Saint-Hilaire is one of the main goals of the biosphere reserve. Since 1972, the Mont Saint-Hilaire Nature Centre - a non-profit organization - has worked in conjunction with McGill University’s Gault Nature Reserve as well as local communities and stakeholders towards the conservation of the mountain. Owners of apple orchards are thus aided by the Nature Centre and McGill University in order to find sound agricultural and economic approaches to ensure the integrity of the greenbelt that surrounds the mountain. With the same purpose, stewardship activities are undergone with landowners. Research has been carried out by the Mc Gill University, which owns the site since 1958. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Temperate broadleaf forests or woodlands | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Northern coniferous-hardwood forests; deciduous forests with sugar maple (Acer saccharum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and red oak (Quercus rubra); secondary forest; marshes; streams, lake shore and bogs; agroecosystems | |||
| Location | 45°33'N; 75°09'W | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 5,500 | |||
| Core area(s) | 500 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 600 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 4,400 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +106 to +416 | |||
| Year designated | 1978 | |||
| Administrative authorities | McGill University and the Mont Saint-Hilaire Nature Centre | |||
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| Brief description |
Minerals Erosion patterns Impact of climate and gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) on tree growth Ecology of rarity and abundance in forest sedges (Carex) Population ecology of endangered forest herbs (Allium and Panax) Ecology of beech and sugar maple regeneration Reproductive ecology of woodpeckers Feeding ecology of benthic fishes Forest tree biodiversity inventory plot (set out by the Smithsonian Institution and UNESCO (SI/MAB) |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Abiotic factors, climate, erosion. | |||
| Biodiversity | Biodiversity, birds, ecology, fishes, forest systems, invertebrates/insects/spiders, methodologies, plants, rare/endangered/threatened species. | |||
| Socio-economic | n.a. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact. | |||
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| Contact address |
Eric Malka Réserve de biosphère Mont-Saint-Hilaire 422, chemin des Moulins J3G 4S6 Mont-Saint-Hilaire (Québec) Canada |
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| Telephone | (1.450) 467 1755 ext.226 | |||
| Fax | (1.450) 467 8015 | |||
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eric@centrenature.qc.ca |
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| Web site | www.centrenature.qc.ca | |||
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| Last updated: 26/02/2007 |
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