The
37 protected sites of Saint-Laurent Vision 2000:
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| Conservation
of 7000 hectares |
Baie
de Saint-Augustin
| Baie
de Saint-Augustin, located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence
some 20 kilometres west of Quebec City, is one of the
last natural shorelines within |
Marsh of Baie de Saint-Augustin.
Photo: Jean Gagnon, MEF
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the
Greater Quebec City area that has not been lost to encroaching
human development. This site is recognized for its great
wealth of flora and fauna.
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Baie
de Saint-Augustin is characterized by an immense bulrush marsh,
which is one of the site’s major attractions. There are
also some zones of prairie cord-grass, shrub formations and
woodlands with willow and speckled alder.
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One of the numerous plant
species likely to be designed as threatened or vulnerable:
Victorin's fringedgentian. Photo: Jean Gagnon, MEF
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The
terrestrial environment is characterized by the presence
of either sugar maple-oak stands or sugar maple-beech stands.
In some places, pure stands of beech may even be found.
In addition, nearly 20 floristic species of interest
have been identified on the site, 13 of which are on the
list of species likely to be designated as threatened or
vulnerable. |
The
site is well endowed with wildlife. Every spring, Baie de Saint-Augustin
becomes a major concentration area for waterfowl. Huge flocks
of Snow Geese and Canada Geese can be seen, along with numerous
duck species. The sector is also attractive to aquatic and forest
birds, as well as to migrating raptors and warblers. Many fish
species also visit the marsh.
The marshland’s unique character and the exceptional ecological
value of the entire site are ample justification for protecting
it. A local natural heritage organization, the Fondation québécoise
pour la protection du patrimoine naturel, is interested in preserving
this rich environment. With the acquisition of roughly 20 hectares
(21.94 ha), efforts to safeguard its riches have gotten under
way.
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