Lac Saint-Paul
Ecological Reserve (project)

(Cadastral map of site also available: 115 K)

The Léon Provancher ecological reserve (lac Saint-Paul), a project planned in the municipality of Bécancour on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, will protect a region for which conservation measures were initiated under St. Lawrence Action Plan. The site is intended to safeguard vegetation communities characteristic of wetlands in the Lac Saint-Pierre region.

The flora is extremely varied and comprises more than 300 vascular species. In addition, two listed species, American water-willow (Justicia americana: threatened) and wild leek (Allium tricoccum: vulnerable), along with at least 20 plants likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable, have been recorded in the Lac Saint-Paul area. The site has a great variety of flora and fauna on account of its diversity of habitats: the lake, wetland and terrestrial environments give the region a high wildlife potential. Many species occur there, including aquatic birds such as Wood Ducks, Black Terns and American Coots.
Aerial view towards east of Lac Saint-Paul. Photo: MEF		There are also a few potential spawning grounds for redfin pickerel and bowfin, a prehistoric fish species that inhabits Lac Saint-Paul. In addition, the hackberryin the reserve is a specific host used by two insects species that are at risk in Quebec.

The acquisitions made by the Quebec Department of the Environment and Wildlife under St. Lawrence Vision 2000 have secured the protection of a marsh on the north shore of Lac Saint-Paul. This 40-hectare area will soon receive legal protection under the Act respecting Ecological Reserves.