The
37 protected sites of Saint-Laurent Vision 2000:
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| Conservation
of 7000 hectares |
Île de Grâce
| Île
de Grâce, which is located at the mouth of Lac Saint-Pierre,
has one of the three largest silver maple stands in the
Berthier-Sorel archipelago. There are alsosome expanses
of shrub swamp, wet meadow and marsh as well as pasture
and cultivated land at the southwestern end of the island. |
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Aerial view towards
east of Île de Grâce.
Photo: Mark Tomalty, NCC
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Nesting box on Île
de Grâce.
Photo: Joël Bonin, NCC
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The
island has considerable potential for wildlife, with nesting
and brooding areas for dabbling ducks. The marsh on the
eastern point is one of the most important brood rearing
sites in the archipelago. In addition to providing habitat
for many breeding bird species, the wetlands provide suitable
stopover places for waterfowl during their fall migrations.
In addition, the island has spawning and nursery areas of
exceptional quality for many quiescent-water fish species.
The flood-prone areas and the channels on the island constitute
valuable habitat that is used extensively by fish. Species
of flora and fauna that are likely to be designated as threatened
or vulnerable can also be encountered there, such as green
dragon (Ariseama dracontium), a rare plant that
grows in the silver maple stand. |
As part of a gradual strategy to consolidate
protection of this island site, the Nature Conservancy of Canada
acquired more than 242 hectares of land under St. Lawrence
Vision 2000, which is equivalent to 31% of the island as a whole.
In view of the highly diverse flora and fauna found on Île de
Grâce, protection of the habitat, albeit only partial, is a
major step toward conservation of local biodiversity.
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