Knowledge to action (K2A) research groups

Our research team works on conservation planning, more specifically on the spatial prioritization of sites of interest via decision support tools using algorithms. We take a particular interest in the integration of the notions of access of the population to the various ecological services. As part of the From Knowledge to Practice project, we aim to strengthen ties between Quebec government actors working on themes presenting environmental issues (agriculture, urbanization, forestry, transportation, etc.) and university researchers working in conservation planning.

The CESCO Chair focuses on the social issues of wildlife habitat conservation on private land. Working closely with MELCCFP analysts and opening up discussions with a number of conservation stakeholders, this initiative aims to develop scientific knowledge that will highlight existing obstacles and levers that can hamper or favor the conservation of threatened and vulnerable species on private land in Quebec. The objective is therefore to derive observations of the current situation and identify innovative approaches to tackle the observed challenges. The knowledge developed on the social dynamics of conservation will more specifically help orient stakeholders and decision-makers in regard to which approaches, measures or tools would allow for greater openness to social realities and to greater success to engage all conservation stakeholders. Our synthesized results are disseminated through our partners’ networks, allowing all stakeholders to have access to a better understanding of the social issues of conservation.

Preserving and enhancing the conditions necessary for life on Earth is the defining challenge for inter-disciplinary and trans-epistemic (bridging scientific and Indigenous systems) knowledge-to-action. Biocultural approaches to biodiversity conservation acknowledge the interdependence of culturally and linguistically diverse Indigenous communities – in particular their environmental knowledge and stewardship institutions – and the biological diversity of their territories. We develop a multi-disciplinary research collaboration between the Centre for Indigenous Conservation and Development Alternatives (CICADA) and the Panama Research and Integrated Sustainability Model (PRISM). We will integrate Indigenous biocultural knowledge practices, counter-cartographic and videographic techniques (CICADA) with remote sensing, species distribution and hydrological modeling (PRISM), to develop local ecosystem baselines that will strengthen the capacity of our partner communities, the Majé Emberá Drüa in the Bayano-Majecito watershed of south-eastern Panama and the Cree Nation of Wemindji in the Old Factory and La Grande watersheds of northern Québec, for territorial planning and stewardship.

The purpose of this group is to inform and consult biodiversity management stakeholders on the ways to include information and data about biotic interactions. Specifically, this work will lay the foundation for the development of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) that draw information from ecological interactions and the structure of species interaction networks.

Despite major advances in wetland restoration in recent years, Quebec is currently failing to effectively compensate for the loss of wetlands on its territory. Our team aims to inform restoration projects about governance and restoration methods that need to be employed to ensure success. More specifically, the objectives of our K2A group are to promote collaborative work in multidisciplinary teams composed of people from various sectors (universities, ministries, cities, NPOs) to catalyse action to restore wetlands; identify the brakes and levers on restoration projects; train HQP and graduate students; and create summaries and tools to inform and support restoration projects.

In Canada, 7 species of bumble bees are threatened with extinction according to the COSEWIC. However, most of the knowledge on bumble bees available is on commercially bred species, such as Bombus impatiens. Information on wild species is comparatively lacking. As part of the “Solutions for Farmers and Food for Bees” project (supported by the Liber-Ero program), we initiated work on the benefits of native pollen on the reproductive performances native bumble bee species, in collaboration with farmers, ENGOs and industry partners. The general objective of our K2A group is to build on this work to improve knowledge on the nutritional requirements and health of native bumble bees and provide science-based solutions to the conservation of endangered species. Specifically, we aim at: 1. Characterizing the nutrient profile of native plants’ pollen and of pollen maximizing queen reproduction. 2. Developing non-invasive techniques to assess bumble bees’ health, including parasite loads and viral loads.