Barachois de Bonaventure

(Cadastral map of site also available: 92 K)

The Bonaventure barachois, located at the mouth of the Bonaventure River on the north shore of Chaleur Bay, is typical of the Gaspé shoreline. It has many different habitats which are suitable for a wide diversity of wildlife species. The unusual ecological conditions of the barachois are also favourable for some rare plant species.

Characterized by salt and brackish water marshes, a barrier beach, lagoons and wooded areas, the Bonaventure barachois has some distinctive sandy islands and islands dominated by either forest or herbaceous cover. Over the years, however, the site has been exposed to various anthropogenic disturbances—log drives, sawmill operations, wastewater discharges and filling—which have had adverse impacts on some sectors, particularly the barrier beach (camping) and the lagoon in the northwest. Furthermore, filling associated with the construction of Highway 132 has reduced the inflow of salt water in certain spots, influencing the development of plant communities.

In spite of these disturbances, the Bonaventure barachois remains an ecologically significant site and therefore deserves protection. Since it is periodically inundated with salt water, the barachois features vegetation that is well adapted to these conditions. Among the characteristic plant species are setose blue-flag, Baltic rush, cordgrass and many more. In marsh areas with a more freshwater character, marsh marigold, buckbean and cattails are a few of the species that have been inventoried. Other noteworthy plants include three that are likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable: Macoun’s fringed-gentian (Gentianopsis macounii), Gaspé Peninsula arrowgrass (Triglochin gaspense) and Richardson’s muhlenbergia (Muhlenbergia richardsonis).

Besides the rich diversity of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates, 13 fish species have been recorded in the Bonaventure barachois with sticklebacks and Atlantic silversides being the predominant ones. Many bird species also use the area, including the Great Blue Heron, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Common Merganser and Canada goose. Passerines, raptors and small mammals are also abundant in various habitats.

Part of the barachois site is protected by the Bioparc de la Gaspésie, an organization that provides interpretation and education services. With the help of St. Lawrence Vision 2000 funding, it recently acquired a 7.49 hectares plot of land east of the barachois, thereby adding to its existing land holding there.

Other measures are also planned with a view to protecting this truly rich Gaspé Peninsula habitat.