Research Director UQAT Rouyn Noranda, Quebec, Canada
Abstract: Due to their ecological richness, peatlands are among the most important ecosystems in northern Quebec. Despite their importance in terms of ecological dynamics and biodiversity, peatlands are still poorly known. This is why, for the past 4 years, students from the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) have been conducting research projects on the territory in collaboration with the indigenous communities of Pikogan (Abitibi Témiscamingue), Nemaska and Mistissini (Eeyou Istchee).
The objective of these studies is to characterize and classify the environments according to the different types of organisms from the animal (birds, amphibians and mammals with a special focus on Moose) and plant (vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens) kingdoms. Although the return of the digitized data is important to the communities, it is not a format that is suitable for all to use.
This is why "Biodiversity Atlas: Wetlands" is a project whose primary goal is to popularize the science produced at UQAT, regarding the biodiversity of peatlands, in order to give it back to the indigenous communities that are partners in the project, and to a large public.
The dissemination of research is done in collaboration with the students involved and with the participation and consent of the indigenous community partners.
To date, several popularization media have been developed. A website, a podcast and an illustrated book presenting popularized sheets for more than 50 species are being created and/or are already available.
