Integration of Future Climate Scenarios in the Planning of Wetland Conservation and Restoration to Protect the Water Resources of Québec City
The project will enable Québec City to plan a long-term conservation network that takes climate change into account, and to integrate this network into its planning management while contributing to the Ministère des Affaires Municipales et de l’Habitation’s Strategy to ensure the occupation and vitality of the territories.
Project details
Principal(s) investigator(s)
Context
The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly significant, especially in cities where urban sprawl is causing major conflicts over water use. In this regard, wetlands are green infrastructure that regulate watercourses by reducing flood flows and increasing flow during low-flow periods.
It seems obvious, therefore, that improving our ability to model the role of wetlands in mitigating the effects of climate change will make it possible to ensure more sustainable management of water resources.
This project proposes to study the issues, challenges and opportunities arising from a better understanding and management of wetlands in the territory of Québec City.
Objective(s)
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Support the development of regional wetlands and bodies of water plans (PRMHH) by documenting the role of wetlands in protecting Québec City’s water resources;
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Assess the role of wetlands in regulating floods and low flows under different climate and land use projections;
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Assess wetland restoration needs throughout the territory;
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Characterize the social representations of protective measures dedicated to the conservation objectives of PRMHHs in order to facilitate the application of the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water.
Methodology
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Assess wetland and water body restoration needs for the entire territory using maps and other tools;
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Design a restoration plan for Ruisseau Savard and the peat bog at the Base de plein-air de Sainte-Foy;
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Recommend conservation and restoration thresholds to be considered in PRMHHs based on thresholds established in other jurisdictions;
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Assess the social representations of protective measures dedicated to the conservation objectives of PRMHHs;
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Develop conservation networks that optimize the provision of ecological services in areas where the demand for these services is greatest.
Expected results
The project will create several regional maps to better understand the role of wetlands (e.g. drainage areas, river flow regulation, floodplain boundaries, potential restoration areas). These maps will be accompanied by a list of wetlands with the highest irreplaceability, a summary of wetland conservation thresholds established in the scientific literature, and a list of legal tools that can be used for the protection of wetlands on private land.
Benefits for adaptation
Benefits for adaptation
The project will enable Québec City to plan a long-term conservation network that takes climate change into account, and to integrate this network into its planning management while contributing to the Ministère des Affaires Municipales et de l’Habitation’s Strategy to ensure the occupation and vitality of the territories 2018-2022.
The project will also serve as a solid foundation to support the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques with respect to the regional plans that must be produced by RCMs and municipalities as set out in the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water
Funding
This project is funded by the Government of Quebec and meets the objectives of the Plan pour une économie verte 2030.
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