Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve, Canada

The Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve (RBLSP) is a vast territory in which many communities were formed over the years, with at its biogeographical center, Lake Saint-Pierre. The latter is a fluvial lake within the St. Lawrence river, a unique feature formed by the retraction of the Champlain Sea at the end of the last ice age. In addition to the unique ecosystems making up its shores and archipelago, both considered wetlands of international importance by the Ramsar Convention, North America’s largest heronry as well as one of the most important stop for migrating birds can be found around Lake Saint-Pierre. Human usages such as post-Panamax ships using the waterway passing through the lake and its archipelago, or the very strong agricultural sector covering most of the territory, combined with the presence of one of Quebec’s largest cities make the management of the RBLSP a real challenge in order to achieve harmony between Human and Nature.

Ecological Characteristics

The St. Lawrence River crosses the Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve from one end to the other, from Lavaltrie through to the City of Trois-Rivières on the northern shore, and from Sorel-Tracy to Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent on the southern shore. Although most of the territory is marked by human activity, many parts have remained wild, and are considered a unique refuge for wildlife. The lake’s archipelago is made of almost a hundred islands, making it the biggest of it’s kind in the St. Lawrence and that is why it is home to the largest Great blue heron population of the continent. A complete assessment of the RBLSP’s ecosystems has yet to be completed, but priority areas with highly productive ecosystems have already been covered. In the next few years, a comprehensive characterization of the territory will be undertaken and will allow for a better understanding of this incredible region.

Currently, the information concerning the region’s ecosystems is limited to the shore of the lake since it is home to much of the regions species and has been subject to much research. It is estimated that over 500 different plants species, about 50 of which are designated by a protection status in Quebec and Canada, can be found there. Moreover, 290 bird species, 90 fish species, 61 different invertebrate species, 40 species of mammals, 16 amphibian species, and 12 species of reptiles. Meanwhile, at least eight alien invasive species have been identified around the lake.

 

Socio-Economic Characteristics

More than 318 000 people call the Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve home as of 2021, with most of them living in the city of Trois-Rivières. Most economic sectors are represented across the region, but agriculture, hunting, fishing, tourism, recreation, as well as industries and services, are prominent.

In the last decade, over 250 scientific arcticles, university theses, reports and governmental publications focused on Lake Saint-Pierre have been written by different institutions. The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) has developed a great deal of expertise in research and has acquired many tools to do so, such as the research vessel, Lampsilis. In the last couple of years, expert commitees have been created in order allow for better collaboration between Universities across the province and to focus mainly on specific issues concerning Lake Saint-Pierre. These studies are essential to continue to facilitate healthy ecosystems and to guide decisions related to conservation and economic devellopment.

Both provincial and federal governements actively take part in the various research processes in the area in order to support the process, and to model laws and instructions according to the results. The 2012 yellow perch moratorium is an excellent example of this: following an assessment highlighting the species’ low stock, all commercial and game fishing has been

forbidden for a period of five years in 2012. The moratorium was extended for another five years in 2017, possibly ending in 2022.

 

 Back to Biosphere Reserves in Canada
 Back to Biosphere Reserves in Europe & North America
 Back to World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Last updated: September 2021