Phase II - Rapport habitats, pointe Sauvage

The 37 protected sites of Saint-Laurent Vision 2000:

Conservation of 7000 hectares

Pointe Sauvage

(Cadastral map of site also available: 79 K)

Pointe Sauvage is situated west of the town of Grandes-Bergeronnes at the confluence of the Petites-Bergeronnes and Grandes-Bergeronnes rivers. This site has a considerable variety of habitats: mudflats, wet meadows, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, mixed forest, bog and saltwater marsh (Lac Salé).

Owing to the location and rich habitat diversity, the area is home to a multitude of species, especially avian ones. In fact, 131 bird species have been recorded in one or more of the habitats, including shorebirds, many warbler and sparrow species, waders, diurnal and nocturnal raptors, several dabbling duck species, seabirds, and so on. Large flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls and Black-legged Kittiwakes can be seen at the river mouths. Pointe Sauvage is also used as a resting, feeding, breeding and brooding area by many migratory birds. A high density of molluscs has been observed at the mouth of the Petites-Bergeronnes River, notably sea urchins, whelks, clams and blue mussels. A number of fish species spawn locally, including capelin.

P31 Pointe Sauvage.jpg (24958 octets)
Saltwater marsh (Lac Salé) of Pointe Sauvage.
Photo: Joël Bonin, NCC

Encroachment by agriculture (pasture) and tourism development is a potential threat to the integrity of this site, identified in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park master plan as having great ecological significance. To help preserve the diverse and productive habitats, a conservation agreement was concluded between a private corporation, Canadian Heritage of Quebec (CHQ) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). This agreement represents the first joint undertaking with the CHQ, an organization dedicated to the conservation of heritage buildings. The Nature Conservancy acquired a parcel of land belonging to the CHQ, and the CHQ granted it a conservation easement (in favor of NCC) on five additional parcels of land.

As a result of the joint agreement, 105.50 hectares of unique habitat at Pointe Sauvage will be preserved in perpetuity.