The
37 protected sites of Saint-Laurent Vision 2000:
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| Conservation
of 7000 hectares |
Barachois de Malbaie
General view of Barachois
de Malbaie.
Photo: Joël Bonin, NCC |
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The
Barachois de Malbaie site is located 11 kilometers northwest
of the town of Percé, in the Gaspé Peninsula. It has a variety
of habitats, including a sandbar, saltmarsh, brackish and
freshwater marshes, wet forests, a dry forest (balsam fir)
and a domed bog. This type of bog is rare in the Gaspé region. |
A large number of vascular plant
species can be found in the barachois, a natural result of its
rich diversity of habitats. Some of the taxa are considered
to be rare in Quebec, or at the edge of their geographic range
or undergoing range expansion. Two species that are likely to
be listed as threatened or vulnerable, dwarf huckleberry, var.
Bigelow (Gaylussacia dumosa var. bigeloviana)
and Gaspé Peninsula arrowgrass (Triglochin gaspense),
have been found in the barachois.
The diverse communities of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic
fauna are an indication of this site’s high biological
productivity. In terms of terrestrial fauna, the diversity of
birdlife constitutes the barachois’ greatest wildlife value,
with 189 avian species recorded. It is an important migratory
stopover area, particularly for geese and ducks, as well as
for gulls, terns, herons, cormorants and shorebirds. The site
is also noteworthy because it is visited by certain species
that breed only very locally in Quebec, like the Yellow Rail
and the Sharp-tailed Sparrow. With its wide diversity of habitats
and vast surface area, the barachois also has the potential
to attract some exceptional species. Sixteen mammal species
can be observed there. Fish and amphibians are also well represented
at the site.
| Barachois
are one of the most characteristic elements of the Gaspé
coast. The Barachois de Malbaie, one of the most spectacular
of these on account of its large size and simple landforms,
its domed bog and its rare plants, deserves protection.
Anthropogenic activities associated with logging and railway
construction have had an adverse impact on some sectors
of the barachois, particularly the barrier beach. |
South
basin of the barachois (acquired land).
Photo: Joël Bonin, NCC
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The Nature Conservancy of Canada initiated
steps to protect this site under St. Lawrence Vision 2000 by
acquiring 12.73 hectares of land in the area. Other efforts
are currently being made to preserve the biodiversity of this
ecologically rich environment.
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