Mélanie Arsenault, Guillaume Grosbois, Julie-Pascale Labrecque-Foy, Miguel Montoro Girona. Diet and lake size are the main drivers of the territorial occupation dynamics of North American beaver 2025. Global Ecology and Conservation e03723
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03723
Beavers, as ecosystem engineers, create crucial wetlands and habitats for other species, altering the structure and function of the surrounding forests and affecting human infrastructure. However, despite these significant economic and ecological implications, the spatiotemporal patterns of beaver feeding strategies remain understudied. This study aimed to evaluate how forest stand type, lake size, and diet influence beaver territorial occupation in eastern Canada. We used a dendroecological approach to measure beaver occupation time and maximum browsing distance around 61 lakes. Around each beaver lodge, we established 1 m² plots along three transects in which we measured distance of browsing from shore and counted annual rings on coppices resulting from beaver presence. PERMANOVA revealed that both maximum browsing distance ( p = 0.003) and temporal occupation ( p = 0.006) differed significantly across lake size categories. The type of forest stand had no impact on beaver dynamics. Stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of beaver carcasses collected from local trappers showed that the beavers’ diet included the consumption of conifer trees and a seasonal shift in food consumption. We found that lakes ranging from 4 to 20 ha were optimal for beavers, as this lake size mattered more than the availability of specific food sources. Beavers exhibited high adaptation skills by using different plant species depending on the season to maximize resource availability and energy cost trade-off. Understanding the factors involved in beaver territorial occupation dynamics is crucial for land managers and conservationists to effectively incorporate this species into forest management plans and mitigate beaver–human conflicts.
Patrice Blaney, Guillaume Grosbois, Pascal Sirois. Vivre vite, mourir jeune » : comment la dégradation des lacs de rouyn-noranda altère-t-elle le cycle vital du doré jaune? 2025. Le Couvert Boréal 16-17
Elise Berthiaume, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. La bande riveraine est-elle un bon outil pour préserver la biodiversité à long terme en forêt boréale? 2024. Le Couvert Boréal 12
Michel Guimond, Guillaume Grosbois, Kaysandra Waldron, Miguel Montoro Girona. Windthrow in riparian buffers affects the water quality of freshwater ecosystems in the eastern Canadian boreal forest 2024. Scientific Reports 23027
DOI : 10.1038/s41598-024-74013-3
Despite the wide application of riparian buffers in the managed boreal forest, their long-term effectiveness as freshwater protection tools remains unknown. Here, we evaluate windthrow incidence in riparian buffers in the eastern Canadian boreal forest and determine the effect of windthrow on the water quality index of the adjacent freshwater ecosystems. We studied 40 sites—20 riparian buffers, aged 10 to 20 years after harvesting and 20 control sites within intact riparian environments—distributed among clay and sandy (esker) soils and black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands. We observed more windthrow in the harvested stands (36%) relative to the control sites (16%), regardless of substrate and species. We determined that the most important factors explaining windthrow were exposition, harvesting, aquatic environment size, and stand characteristics. These factors drive wind exposure, speed, and force, which determine post-harvest windthrow risk. Furthermore, windthrow negatively affected the water quality index of the adjacent aquatic systems, i.e., greater windthrow decreased the protective effect of the riparian buffer. We recommend increasing the use of partial harvest near riparian environments and adapting riparian buffers to site conditions to ensure the long-term protection of adjacent freshwater ecosystems.
Marie-Pier Hébert, Catherine Girard, Guillaume Grosbois, Milla Rautio. Les lacs ne dorment pas en hiver ! Au contraire, il y a un monde qui vit sous la glace 2024. The Conversation
William Vincent, Guillaume Grosbois, Miguel Montoro Girona, Shelley Arnott. À la découverte du monstre du Lac Témiscamingue. 2024. Le Couvert Boréal 26
Patrice Blaney, Guillaume Grosbois, Pascal Sirois. Le doré jaune adapte son alimentation dans les lacs dégradés de Rouyn-Noranda. 2024. Le Couvert Boréal 25
Akib Hasan, Miguel Montoro Girona, Louis Imbeau, Jennifer Lento, Anouschka R. Hof, Guillaume Grosbois. Indicator species reveal the physical and biological singularity of esker ecosystems 2023. Ecological Indicators 110612
DOI : 10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110612
Eskers are complex geological formations shaped with a linear accumulation of sand and gravel under the glaciers during the last ice age and that provide crucial resources such as drinking water, sand/gravel, outdoor recreational sites, and productive forests. Surrounding sand and gravel and connection with the groundwater influences the physicochemical properties of lakes on esker which can benefit different biotic communities in the food web. The sustainable management of resources provided by eskers requires baseline ecological knowledge of these ecosystems. However, very little information exists about the ecology of freshwater ecosystems on eskers. This study uses a food web approach to identify the environmental variables, biological diversity, and indicator species associated with esker lakes to better understand their ecological functioning and biodiversity patterns to benefit their sustainable management and conservation. Fifty lakes were sampled in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region (Canada), half on eskers and half on the surrounding boreal clay belt to include the most abundant lake ecosystems of the region. Physicochemical, environmental, and anthropogenic variables measured in the two lake types showed that esker lakes differed markedly from clay lakes. Nutrient concentrations, conductivity, and macrophyte cover were significantly lower in esker lakes than in clay lakes, whereas dissolved oxygen saturation and concentration showed the opposite trend. Three interconnected trophic levels of the esker lake food webs—waterbird, fish, and macroinvertebrate communities—were characterized for biological diversity and the associated species. We found a significantly lower Shannon diversity index for waterbirds (mean ± standard deviation; 0.7 ± 0.2), fish (0.4 ± 0.3), and a tendency for a lower value for macroinvertebrates (0.9 ± 0.3) in esker lakes than the clay lakes (1.1 ± 0.4, 0.9 ± 0.3, and 1.3 ± 0.5, respectively). Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Canada goose (Bucephala clangula) were associated significantly with esker lakes and identified as indicator species for esker lakes. In contrast, ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris) and hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) were associated significantly with clay lakes. Perlidae was similarly associated with esker lakes as an indicator for macroinvertebrates. Anthropogenic activities such as forest harvesting have altered the waterbird community, and recreational activities around the lakes have modified the fish and macroinvertebrate communities. We conclude that esker lakes differ from other regional lakes and are associated with specific environmental and biological variables and indicator species. The biological diversity in esker lakes is lower than that of clay lakes for all studied trophic levels of the food web, but these waterbodies provide preferential habitats for some species. This research provides the first baseline ecological information necessary to establish sustainable management and conservation strategies for this vulnerable ecosystem.
Sylvie Gauthier, Timo Kuuluvainen, Ellen E. MacDonald, Ekaterina Shorohova, Anatoly Shvidenko, Annie Claude Bélisle, Marie-André Vaillancourt, Alain Leduc, Guillaume Grosbois, Yves Bergeron, Hubert Morin, Miguel Montoro Girona. Ecosystem Management of the Boreal Forest in the Era of Global Change 2023. In: Girona, M.M., Morin, H., Gauthier, S., Bergeron, Y. (eds) Boreal Forests in the Face of Climate Change. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 74. Springer, Cham. 3
DOI : 10.1007/978-3-031-15988-6_1
Mélanie Arsenault, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. Le castor, cet ingénieur méconnu de la forêt boréale. 2023. The Conversation
Hengyi Bai, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. Les lacs et la forêt boréale, comme «les dents et les lèvres» ? 2023. Le Couvert Boréal p.8
Miguel Montoro Girona, Annie DesRochers, Guillaume Grosbois, Fabio Gennaretti, Marc-André Gemme. Pour et par le milieu - la MRC d'Abitibi joint ses forces à l'UQAT via le grema. 2022. Le Couvert Boréal p.10
Janie Lavoie, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois, Hubert Morin. Does the type of silvicultural practice influence spruce budworm defoliation of seedlings? 2021. Ecosphere 12(4):e03506
DOI : 10.1002/ecs2.3506
Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem)) is the main defoliator in the boreal forest of North America, and its outbreaks have major ecological and economic consequences and represent a challenge for forest management. Numerous studies have addressed the effects of this defoliator on mature trees, whereas the effects of spruce budworm on regeneration remain elusive. Furthermore, intensive exploitation practices during the last decades have left a large area of the Canadian boreal forest in an early development stage. In this context, it becomes vital to understand those factors affecting the severity of spruce budworm‐related defoliation on regeneration. Here, we determine the defoliation severity of black spruce and balsam fir seedlings in both mature pure black spruce and black spruce–balsam fir stands subjected to two different silvicultural treatments (clear‐cutting and partial cutting). Defoliation intensity varied between stand types, silvicultural treatments, species, and height classes. Seedlings in black spruce–balsam fir stands experienced twice the defoliation of those in pure black spruce stands (black spruce seedlings 10% vs. 23%; balsam fir seedlings 29% vs. 47%, respectively). Harvesting methods also influenced seedling defoliation. Under clear‐cutting, black spruce seedlings (24%) were three times as defoliated as black spruce seedlings in partial cutting stands (8%), whereas balsam fir seedlings in clear‐cutting plots experienced twice the defoliation (42%) of balsam fir seedlings in partial cutting plots (20%). The level of defoliation also increased with seedling height. This study will help silvicultural strategies adapt to the effects of natural disturbance regimes. As the intensity and severity of defoliator outbreaks are expected to increase under climate change, these results will help guide forest management strategies to select harvesting methods that will limit the effects of defoliation on conifer regeneration.
Mariano Feldman, Guillaume Grosbois, Alejandro G. Pietrek, Miguel Montoro Girona. Why Do Beavers Leave Home? Lodge Abandonment in an Invasive Population in Patagonia. 2020. Forests 11(11):1161
DOI : 10.3390/f11111161
Research Highlights: Lodge abandonment by beavers is apparently a common phenomenon in Patagonia, but it is still poorly understood and we ignore what drives it. In relatively slow growth Nothofagus forests, resource depletion can impact abandonment while water availability may be a major driver in the semiarid steppe. Background and Objectives: North American beaver (Castor canadensis) was introduced in 1946 on the island of Tierra del Fuego (TDF) in southern Argentina. Since then, beavers have become a major disturbance affecting not only forest but also treeless steppe landscapes. Our goal was to determine the factors affecting lodge abandonment by beavers in two habitats of TDF: forest and steppe. Materials and Methods: A total of 47 lodges were surveyed between February and March from 2012 to 2014 in both habitat types, 22 in the forest and 25 in the steppe. To explain factors involved in lodge abandonment by beavers, we measured the following variables: water level variation, stream gradient, vegetation cover adjacent to shore and forest structure. Results: We recorded 24 abandonments events, with a similar proportion of lodges abandoned in both habitats. Our results revealed that lodge abandonment was mostly linked to water level fluctuations irrespective of habitat type. The water level at the entrances of the lodge generally decreased in abandoned lodges. Variables that characterize understory cover had some influence on lodge abandonment in the forest, and no effect in the steppe. Conclusions: Water level variation was associated with lodge abandonment in both habitats, and we found some evidence of resource depletion in the forest. However, we caution that changes in water level may be not only due to extrinsic factors but rather to beaver’s own activities or to a decay in pond maintenance following abandonment. View Full-Text
Akib Hasan, Guillaume Grosbois, Narayan Saha, Abdul Halim, Miguel Montoro Girona. Land Sparing Can Maintain Bird Diversity in Northeastern Bangladesh 2020. Sustainability 12(16):6472
DOI : 10.3390/su12166472
One of humanity’s most significant challenges in the process of attaining the established sustainability goals is balancing the growing human demand for food and the need to conserve biodiversity. This challenge requires appropriate land uses that are able to conserve biodiversity while ensuring ample food supply. This study compares bird species diversity and abundance in areas undergoing land sharing and land sparing in northeastern Bangladesh (West Bhanugach Reserved Forest). Birds serve as useful biologic indicators because of their presence within different trophic levels and their well-studied ecology. To survey birds, we selected a total of 66 sampling sites within land-sharing (33) and land-sparing (33) land-use areas. Between May and June 2017, we observed and recorded bird calls within a 50-m radius around each sampling site. We counted 541 individuals from 46 species of birds. The Shannon bird diversity was higher in the land-sparing sites (1.52) than in the land-sharing sites (1.23). We found approximately 30% more bird species (39 vs. 30) and 40% more individuals (318 vs. 223) in the land-sparing areas than land-sharing areas. Three bird species, Arachnothera longirostra, Micropternus brachyurus and Copsychus malabaricus, were significantly associated with the land-sparing sites. This study shows that land sharing negatively affects bird diversity, richness and abundance compared to land-sparing. The use of chemical fertilizers and the lack of food, such as insects, for birds can explain the lower diversity, richness and abundance of birds in the land-sharing areas. Although land sharing is an effective means of producing food, land sparing is the most effective land-use practice for preserving bird diversity in northeastern Bangladesh. View Full-Text
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Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. Le rôle de la bande riveraine pour la préservation de la biodiversité en forêt boréale 17e colloque annuel du CEF, Université du Québec en Outaouais (2024-05-02)
Mélanie Arsenault, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. Dynamique d'occupation du territoire par le castor du Canada (castor canadensis) en Abitibi-Témiscamingue 25e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2023-11-28)
Michel Guimond, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois, Kaysandra Waldron. Comment le chablis dans les bandes riveraines affecte la qualité de l’eau dans les écosystèmes d’eau douce boréaux ? 25e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2023-11-28) youtube
William Vincent, Miguel Montoro Girona, Shelley Arnott, Béatrix Beisner, Olivier Morissette, Guillaume Grosbois. Évaluation de la dynamique spatio-temporelle de la population de cladocère épineux (Bythotrephes cederstroemi) du lac Témiscamingue 25e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2023-11-28)
Patrice Blaney, Guillaume Grosbois, Pascal Sirois. Évaluation des populations de dorés jaunes (Sander vitreus) dans des lacs dégradés 25e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2023-11-28)
Michel Guimond, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois, Kaysandra Waldron. Rôle de la stabilité des bandes riveraines dans la protection de la ressource hydrique après coupes forestières en forêt boréale 16e colloque annuel du CEF, Université de Montréal (2023-05-08)
Akib Hasan, Jennifer Lento, Anouschka R. Hof, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois, Louis Imbeau. First characterization of the trophic structure and biodiversity of esker lakes 24e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2022-11-22)
Michel Guimond, Miguel Montoro Girona, Kaysandra Waldron, Guillaume Grosbois. Bande riveraine: 20m de protection? 24e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2022-11-22)
Sam Lucy Behle, Béatrix Beisner, Guillaume Grosbois. Limiting the spread of a newcomer : The Spiny Water Flea 24e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2022-11-22)
Marta Gabriele, Maikel Rosabal, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. The past, present and the potential future of Osisko lake in Rouyn-Noranda 24e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. (2022-11-22)
Akib Hasan, Miguel Montoro Girona, Louis Imbeau, Jennifer Lento, Guillaume Grosbois. First characterization of the trophic structure and biodiversity of esker lakes 15e colloque annuel du CEF, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec (2022-09-28)
Guillaume Grosbois Nouveau professeur 23e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2021-12-07)
Akib Hasan, Miguel Montoro Girona, Louis Imbeau, Jennifer Lento, Anouschka R. Hof, Guillaume Grosbois. Go to the lakes to know the forest biodiversity: The esker project 23e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2021-12-07)
Michel Guimond, Miguel Montoro Girona, Kaysandra Waldron, Guillaume Grosbois. Bande riveraine : 20m de protection ou d'inaction ? 23e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2021-12-07)
Hengyi Bai, Miguel Montoro Girona, Milla Rautio, Guillaume Grosbois. Impact de la coupe forestière sur le fonctionnement des lacs de la forêt boréale 23e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2021-12-07)
Mélanie Arsenault, Miguel Montoro Girona, Guillaume Grosbois. Quand l’ingénieur perturbe : ronger plus creux dans la dynamique d’occupation du territoire du Castor du Canada (Castor canadensis) 23e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2021-12-07)
Tasnim Anjum Mou, Guillaume Grosbois, Miguel Montoro Girona. Connecting the dot: why are harmful blue green algae blooming under ice? 23e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2021-12-07)
Osvaldo Valeria, Marcel Darveau, Guillaume Grosbois, Aurore Lucas, Pierre Cartier, Nicole J. Fenton, Benoit Crôteau. Milieux humides et hydriques: comment s'y retrouver? 8e Rendez-vous des ressources naturelles (2021-05-27)
Anouk Paradis, Osvaldo Valeria, Guillaume Grosbois. Vulnérabilité des fonctions écosystémiques fournies par les milieux humides de l’Abitibi face aux perturbations anthropiques 22e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, complètement virtuel (2020-12-02)
Guillaume Grosbois, Louis Imbeau, Miguel Montoro Girona. The ice age: the responsible of highest level of waterbird and aquatic biodiversity today? 22e colloque de la Chaire AFD. Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, complètement virtuel (2020-12-02)
