The project is divided into three components.
- The main objective of the research component is to fill in the gaps in the scientific knowledge on the effects of mining activities and climate change on fish and their habitats in the North. The research work aims at gaining solid scientific bases to allow better understanding, prediction, and eventually reduction of the impacts of northern mining activities on fish populations in a changing climate. A good understanding of the functioning of northern aquatic ecosystems is necessary to plan effective and sustainable restoration and protection projects in the North.
This first part comprises three interrelated research projects.
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- Assess the ecotoxicological risk of metal contamination of fish habitats taking into account the increased risk brought about by the climate warming that is anticipated in northern Quebec.
- Evaluate the impacts of mining activity transport infrastructure (roads, railways) on fish habitat fragmentation. Propose solutions to mitigate the effect of this infrastructure on fish habitat connectivity and diversity in northern regions (restoration and protection component of the project, see below).
- Study climate change scenarios and their effects on water temperature and future anticipated flows. Assess the contribution of groundwater to the quality and temperature of surface water for better understanding and prediction of the thermal regime of rivers in a subarctic climate in constant evolution.
- The objective of the restoration and protection component is to establish new standards for the management and protection of fish populations and their habitats in northern mining areas. This part of the project also aims at developing and testing a restoration method to improve the success of fish passage in culverts located underneath roads.
- The objective of the education and awareness component which is related to the other two parts is to train future experts in the fields of northern aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology. This part of the project will involve First Nations youth in research and restoration projects and raise awareness of the population on the uniqueness and fragility of northern aquatic environments.
First Nations are particularly mindful of the fishing resources on which they depend for food and their traditional way of life. Meetings will be organized in local First Nations communities to discuss their environmental concerns related to mining development. We seek to bring and maintain mutual respect and cooperation between project stakeholders and local communities.
This program is carried out with the financial support of the government of Canada.