Program Co-ordinator: Alain Bourque

Context

Anticipated climate change is raising questions about its impact on:

• the evolution of biological processes
• the behavioural and adaptation strategies of living species: migration, physiological, morphological or genetic changes
• ecosystem adaptation capacity.

In Quebec, little is known about the impact of these changes on biodiversity, but many species’ range is expected to shift northward.

In this context, human actions in ecosystems must be re-assessd, in terms of:

• the exploitation,
• conservation and
• management of natural resources.

Objectives

• Develop scientific knowledge in the fields of biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
• Strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and biodiversity managers in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada.
• Optimize concrete means of action in the field, in a context of sustainable development and integrating available knowledge.

Research project

• Effects of climate change on biodiversity in Quebec