Yves Bergeron Yves Bergeron obtained a B.Sc. (1977) and a Ph.D. (1983) in biological
sciences from the Université de Montréal. He completed his postdoctoral
training at the Centre d’études nordiques (Université Laval) and at the
University of Calgary. He worked as a research scientist at the Centre de
recherches écologiques (Université de Montréal) before joining the
Université du Québec à Montréal as a professor in the department of
biological sciences in 1985. Since 1996 he is also professor at Université
du Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue in the Applied sciences department and from 2012 at the Institute for Forest Research of UQAT. His
work has to do with both fundamental and applied research. Most of his
work in fundamental research is on ecosystem dynamics, more specifically
the boreal forest. The more applied research includes the use of
ecological knowledge for silviculture and forest management. Dr. Bergeron
held a Canadian Research Chair in Forest Ecology and Management. He is a
member of the
Center of Forest Research (CFR) and is director of the NSERC/UQAT/UQAM Industrial Chair in Sustainable Forest
Management.
Research orientation
Studies on ecosystem dynamics
By way of field and lab work, the aim is to better understand the
ecological factors responsible for the distribution and dynamics of
forest stands. One approach is to study the relationship between abiotic
components of the environment (climate, geomorphology, soils) and the
distribution of different species or plant communities. Others include
historical reconstitution and characterization of natural and anthropic
disturbance regimes (fire, windthrow, insect outbreak) affecting forest
ecosystem. The determination of demographic structures of species allows
a fuller understanding of the relationship between disturbance regimes
and the regeneration and succession mechanisms of forest stands.
Dendrochronology (dating method that uses annual growth rings of
trees) is the mostly used lab technique. It allows age determination of
stems and dating of punctual events such as fires or fluctuations of
water levels when looking at scars. It is also used to evaluate the
effect of climate (dendroclimatology) and other parameters on radial
growth of trees.
Some examples of studies carried out or currently in progress: Jack
pine and red pine stand dynamics following fire, historical
reconstitution of fire regimes in Abitibi, the influence of water levels
fluctuations on black ash stand dynamics, reconstitution by
dendroclimatology of over 800 years for white cedar. Growth and dynamics
of tree species at their northern limit of distribution.
Applications to silviculture and forest management
The objective is to establish the relationship between the ecological
information we have on natural forest ecosystems and the different
interventions for timber harvest. The preferred approach is to find out
how stand and landscape silvicultural operations can emulate natural
disturbances. Studies mostly concern the effect of forest management on
ecosystem biodiversity and resilience. This work is done in
collaboration with government agencies and the industry, in particular
the activities of the NSERC/UQAT/UQAM Industrial Chair in Sustainable
Forest Management and the
Research Forest of Duparquet Lake (FERLD).
Some examples of studies carried out or currently in progress:
Characterization of the biodiversity in old growth forests; Comparison
of the effects of fire and harvest on resilience and plant diversity of
forest ecosystems; Impact of intensive forestry on biodiversity.
M.Sc. and Ph.D. positions available
I am currently looking for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students to work on forest dynamic. Please navigate to
Jobs section for further information.Email : yves.bergeron[at]uqat.ca Publications : (see complete list) - Martin-Philippe Girardin, Adam Ali, Christopher Carcaillet, Sylvie Gauthier, Christelle Hely-Alleaume, Héloïse Le Goff, Aurélie Terrier, Yves Bergeron, 2013. Fire in managed forests of eastern Canada: Risks and options For. Ecol. Manage. 294:238-249 DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2012.07.005
    - Jianguo Huang, Yves Bergeron, Frank Berninger, Lihong Zhai, Jacques Tardif, Bernhard Denneler, 2013. Impact of Future Climate on Radial Growth of Four Major Boreal Tree Species in the Eastern Canadian Boreal Forest Plos One DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0056758
- Aurélie Terrier, Martin-Philippe Girardin, Catherine Périé, Pierre Legendre, Yves Bergeron, 2013. Potential changes in forest composition could reduce impacts of climate change on boreal wildfires. Ecological applications 23(1):21-35
- Catherine Boudreault, Darwin Coxson, Yves Bergeron, Susan Stevenson, Mathieu Bouchard, 2013. Do forests treated by partial cutting provide growth conditions similar to old-growth forests for epiphytic lichens? Biological Conservation 159(1): 458-467 DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2012.12.019.
- Dominic Senici, Aurore Lucas, Cungen Chen, Yves Bergeron, Alain Larouche, Benoit Brossier, Olivier Blarquez, Adam Ali, 2013. Multi-millennial fire frequency and tree abundance differ between xeric and mesic boreal forests in central Canada Journal of Ecology DOI:10.1111/1365-2745.12047
- Brian Brassard, Cungen Chen, Xavier Cavard, Jérôme Laganière, Peter B. Reich, Yves Bergeron, David Paré, Yuan Zhiyou, 2013. Tree species diversity increases fine root productivity through increased soil volume filling Journal of Ecology 101(1):210-219 DOI:10.1111/1365-2745.12023
- Igor Drobyshev, Sylvie Gewehr, Frank Berninger, Yves Bergeron, 2013. Species specific growth responses of black spruce and trembling aspen may enhance resilience of boreal forest to climate change Journal of Ecology 101(1):231-242 DOI:10.1111/1365-2745.12007
- Frédérick Raulier, Héloïse Le Goff, Sylvie Gauthier, Rija Rapanoela, Yves Bergeron, 2013. Introducing two indicators for fire risk consideration in the management of boreal forests. Ecological Indicator 24:451-461 DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.07.023
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