Expected limit of urban expansion on the territory of the City of Sherbrooke.attribut:ID - Unique identifier**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Heritage sites of the City of Rimouski**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Trails designed for hiking.attribut:ID - Unique identifier **This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Location of public transport stops in the City of Rimouski (Citébus and Taxibus) as well as Citébus circuits.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Delimitation of the permanent agricultural zone and agricultural inclusions, as illustrated in “Map 2-26: Permanent agricultural zone and agricultural inclusions” of the revised land use and development plan of the City of Laval**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Spatial distribution of the Thorny Skate presence expressed by catch weight based on the annual Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) groundfish research surveys realised between 2004 and 2010. Catch data (kg/nautical mile) were aggregated by 100 km² cells. They are derived from processed data used for the production of: Chouinard, P-M., J-D. Dutil, S. Proulx, D. Borcard and J. Crocker. 2014. A spatial approach to matching marine fish diversity and abundance with habitat features. Hydrobiologia. Volume 734, Issue 1: 39-55. Associated publication: Dutil, J.-D., Proulx, S., Chouinard, P.-M., and Borcard, D. 2011. A hierarchical classification of the seabed based on physiographic and oceanographic features in the St. Lawrence. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2916: vii + 72 pages. Purpose Since 1990, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been conducting an annual multidisciplinary survey in the Estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence using a standardized protocol. In the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, these bottom trawl surveys has been carrying out each September since 1971. These missions are an important source of information about the status of the marine ressources. The objectives of the surveys are multiple: to estimate the abundance and biomass of groundfish and invertebrates, to identify the spatial distribution and biological characteristics of these species, to monitor the biodiversity of the Estuary and Gulf and finally, to describe the environmental conditions observed in the area at the moment of the sampling. The southern Gulf surveys are realized using the following standardized protocol: Hurlbut,T. and D.Clay (eds) 1990. Protocols for Research Vessel Cruises within the Gulf Region (Demersal Fish) (1970-1987). Can. MS Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2082: 143p. The sampling protocols used for the Estuary and northern Gulf surveys are described in details in the following publications: Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Bernier, B., Fréchet, A., Gauthier, J., Grégoire, F., Lambert, J., et Savard, L. 2010. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2009 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. stat. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 1226 : xii+ 72 p. Bourdages, H., Archambault, D., Morin, B., Fréchet, A., Savard, L., Grégoire, F., et Bérubé, M. 2003. Résultats préliminaires du relevé multidisciplinaire de poissons de fond et de crevette d’août 2003 dans le nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Secr. can. consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. rech. 2003/078. vi + 68 p. Annual reports are available at the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS), (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/index-eng.htm).

A geospatial database involving 130 descriptors was created describing the pelagic and benthic habitats of the 0–30 m surface layer in the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. A grid made of 6.25 km² cells (2.5 x 2.5 km) was used to aggregate the data. Each of the 39,337 cells overlapping the marine environment was characterized using landscape, hydrographic, and oceanographic parameters determined from observations (including satellite imagery), a 3D circulation model, and published and unpublished material available at local and regional scales. Purpose The dataset provides useful information on the spatial extent of major coastal epipelagic habitats in the study area and can be used for mapping purposes and for analyses of species-habitat relationships. Additional Information The low tide limit was taken as the upper (0 m) boundary, but neighbouring landscape features, such as the proximity to freshwater inflows, surface area of the tidal zone, and characteristics of the shoreline, were also taken into consideration. Also, each cell was classified as being marine, intertidal, or terrestrial using the high and low tide marks. Those marks were determined using NRCan CANVEC topographic map products (1:50,000). The high tide mark was determined as the limit between the land and water layers. The low tide mark (0 m depth) was determined as the lower limit of the tidal zone in areas with a tidal zone, and as the limit between the land and water layers elsewhere. See the report mentioned below for a more detailed description of the treatments for each variable: Dutil, J.-D., S. Proulx, P. Galbraith, J. Chassé and N. Lambert 2012. Coastal and epipelagic habitats of the St. Lawrence estuary and Gulf. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3009 : ix +87 pp.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been conducting surface water trawl surveys since 1992 in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Alaska and in the high seas of the Gulf of Alaska. These surveys initially focused on determining the migratory patterns (1992-2002) and on the growth and physiology (2003-2016) of juvenile Pacific Salmon. Since 2016, these surveys have been broadened to monitor the whole pelagic ecosystem, retaining a focus on juvenile Pacific Salmon. Surveys have been conducted on the continental shelf of north and west Vancouver Island, included associated sounds and inlets since 1992 and are ongoing. These data are for tows conducted in the continental shelf area for depths shallower than 400 meters.

A research survey on Stimpson's surfclam (Mactromeris polynyma) was conducted from June 15 to June 26 2017 in the Estuary of the St. Lawrence River on the Forestville deposit (Fishing Area 1A). The primary objective of this survey was to investigate the spatial distribution of pre-commercial (< 80 mm) and commercial (≥ 80 mm) sizes of Stimpson's surfclams as well as to assess the abundance and diversity of benthic species associated with the sandy habitat of the Stimpson's surfclam. Only benthic species data associated with Stimpson's surfclam habitat are presented in this dataset. Data were collected according to a systematic sampling design consisting of 77 stations, between 7 and 45 m depth. Stations were spaced 200 m apart and dispersed along a total of 18 transects perpendicular to the bathymetry. Transects were parallel and spaced 500 m apart. Specimens were collected using a hydraulic dredge of the "New England" type with a total length of 2.29 meters and a total width of 1.68 meters, of which 1.35 meters was knife width. The dredge was lined with a 19 millimeter mesh Vexar™ to harvest small individuals. The hauls were made at a speed of 0.2-0.3 knots for a duration of 2 to 3 minutes. Start and end positions were recorded to calculate the distance traveled at each tow using the geosphere library in R. The average tow distance was approximately 25 m. The area covered at each stroke was the product of the width of the dredge blade and the distance. The three files provided (DarwinCore format) are complementary and are linked by the "eventID" key. The "event_information" file includes generic event information, including date and location. The "additional_information_event_and_occurrence" file includes sample size, sampling protocol and sampling effort, among others. The "taxon_occurrence" file includes the taxonomy of the species observed, identified to the species or lowest possible taxonomic level. For abundance and biomass estimates, contact Virginie Roy (virginie.roy@dfo-mpo.gc.ca). For quality controls, all taxonomic names were checked against the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) to match recognized standards. The WoRMS match was placed in the "scientificNameID" field of the occurrence file. Special cases were noted in "identificationRemarks" and selected specimens were confirmed using field photos. Data quality checks were performed using the R obistools and worrms libraries. All sampling locations were spatially validated.

This dataset identifies potential low head hydropower development sites across Canada, based on a comprehensive review of existing studies and resource databases. Low head hydropower refers to sites where the vertical drop (head) is 15 meters or less. Sites included in this dataset also have an estimated generation capacity of 50 megawatts (MW) or less. The original database was developed by Hatch Ltd. for Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) as part of a national low head hydropower market assessment. It integrates data from multiple sources, including provincial inventories, prior Hatch studies, and legacy fieldwork records. To enhance data completeness, NRCan subsequently revised the database by supplementing missing site names, river names, and geographic coordinates where possible. The finalized dataset comprises 2,629 potential low head hydropower sites distributed across Canada. It is provided in the form of provincial and territorial shapefiles, each containing detailed site-level attributes. Attributes include site name, river name, site ID, source of information, local map number, geographic coordinates (X and Y), site region, presence of a dam, grid connection status, Indigenous affiliation, catchment area, mean annual flow, rated discharge, gross head, penstock length and diameter, estimated installed capacity, dedicated transmission line length, site comments, and Indigenous reserve name. Disclaimer: This dataset was developed to support preliminary assessments of low head hydropower potential in Canada and is subject to the following limitations: • The original database was compiled from various secondary sources, including data provided by third-party contributors and Hatch Ltd.’s own records. Some of these sources date back several decades. The data provided has not necessarily undergone independent verification for its accuracy, completeness, or validity. • NRCan undertook a data revision process involving manual review and geolocation using publicly available mapping tools (e.g., Google Maps) to address missing information. Where geographic coordinates could not be reliably determined, this is explicitly indicated in the dataset. • Site conditions may have changed over time due to natural processes or human activities. NRCan does not accept responsibility for any impact such changes may have on the accuracy or validity of the dataset’s observations, conclusions, or recommendations. • The inclusion of a site in this dataset does not imply technical, economic, or environmental feasibility. Any potential development would require further investigation, including detailed field studies, environmental assessments, and comprehensive technical and financial evaluations. This dataset is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as the sole basis for investment, planning, or development decisions. Users are strongly advised to undertake independent due diligence, including site-specific assessments and technical evaluations, prior to making any decisions based on the dataset. By accessing or using this dataset, users acknowledge and accept these terms and limitations. The dataset providers expressly disclaim any responsibility or liability for consequences resulting from the use, interpretation, or reliance on the information contained herein. Use of this dataset is entirely at the user’s own risk, and users assume full responsibility for any actions or decisions made based on its contents. This disclaimer is provided in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. By utilizing the dataset, users agree to release the dataset providers from any legal claims, damages, or liabilities that may arise from such use.