This theme offers detailed information on lakes and waterways throughout Quebec. All the descriptors available in this layer come directly from the Lakes and Rivers (LCE) database. The data includes lake centroids and stream junctions and includes information on lake morphology such as length, width, depth, volume, and elevation, as well as the area of watersheds. This data is intended for researchers, engineers, government agencies, government agencies, environmental professionals, as well as students and industries, for applications in the environment, hydrology, and hydraulics.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Multiscale hydrographic basins from levels 1 to 8 covering the whole of Quebec. These thematic layers were created using maps from the BDTQ (Quebec Topographic Database at a scale of 1:20,000) for the southern part of Quebec and using the CANVEC product (Canadian Topographic Database at scale 1:50,000) for the northern part of the province.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Territory of the districts of the Direction Générale de la Protection de la Faune du Québec. These territories represent the administrative boundaries of the territories covered by the various wildlife protection districts.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Data on flood zones include mapping carried out as part of the mapping program of the Canada-Quebec Convention from 1976 to 2001, the Program for the determination of flood ratings from 2001 to 2004 (PDCC), as well as the mapping carried out after that date by the Centre d'expertise du Québec (CEH) and its various partners.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The data represent the distribution of species of amphibians, reptiles, reptiles, terrestrial mammals and freshwater and migratory fish in Quebec. The files represent: amphibians: 21 reptile species: 17 species terrestrial mammals: 17 species terrestrial mammals: 69 species freshwater and migratory fish species: 118 species The ranges were established on the basis of various sources of information and validated by the Main Directorate of Expertise on Terrestrial Wildlife (DPEFT), the Main Directorate for Threatened or Vulnerable Species (DPEFT), the Main Directorate of Threatened or Vulnerable Species (DPEMV) and the Main Directorate of Expertise on Aquatic Wildlife (DPEFA) of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP). The ranges of species of _freshwater and migratory fish_ are also illustrated in the [“Freshwater Fish of Quebec”] poster (https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/faune/documents/animaux/affiche-poissons-eau-douce.pdf). Some ranges have changed slightly since they were included in the poster. __There may be differences between the ranges of the species presented in the files and the current spatial distribution of the species.__ The ranges were produced on a small scale, they provide indicative information on the presence of the species in Quebec. The cards are the property of MELCCFP. __Atten:__ The ranges of marine mammals that frequent the coasts of the province of Quebec are not included in this dataset.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Territorial division of the province of Quebec into fur harvesting management units. The data has been digitized at a scale of 1:250,000. __Warning:__ The MFFP cannot guarantee the accuracy of this Data and cannot be held responsible for the conclusions obtained as a result of the use of this Data. The MFFP will not assume any responsibility for any damage suffered as a result of the use of this Data. This cartographic compilation of fur animal management units has no legal significance; only the documents filed have legal force.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

This habitat quality model shows the probability of the presence of short-eared owls in southern Quebec during the nesting season. It is based on species presence data and a modeling of several environmental variables of interest to the species during the nesting period. The model is based on 64 ha analysis units, i.e. cells with a side length of 800 meters. For more details, for example on the study area, the data used and the modeling carried out, consult the following report [“Habitat quality model for the short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) in southern Quebec”] (https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/faune/documents/habitats/RA_modele-qualite-habitat_hibou_marais.pdf). ### What is an MQH? A habitat quality model (HQM) is a “rough representation” of the preferred habitat of a wildlife species. For general information, consult the [“Habitat Quality Assessment”] page (https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/faune/gestion-faune-habitats-fauniques/habitats-fauniques/evaluation-qualite-habitats). ### WARNING The MQH was developed primarily in order to determine the sectors with the best potential to shelter the target species, in order to prioritize inventories. The models developed have limitations and therefore cannot be used to confirm the absence of a species at a given location. Consult the [“The benefits and limitations of habitat quality models”] section (https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-environnement-et-ressources-naturelles/faune/gestion-faune-habitats-fauniques/habitats-fauniques/evaluation-qualite-habitats#c159177) on the “Habitat Quality Assessment” page for general information or the [report] (https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/faune/documents/habitats/RA_modele-qualite-habitat_hibou_marais.pdf) for information specific to the short-eared owl MQH.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The 2023 mapping of potential wetlands in Quebec (CMHPQ) 2023, released by the Directorate of Ecological Knowledge (DCE), provides up-to-date information on the potential presence of wetlands for the entire province of Quebec. In particular, version 2023 contains the classification of potentially humid geographical entities according to a selected typology and the assignment of a level of confidence associated with each entity and integrates new data sources. This mapping is an aggregation of different databases produced for other purposes and at different scales. The result of this assembly depends on the precision and accuracy of each of the data sources used. These data must be used while remaining vigilant with regard to their potential and limitations.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

## #Mise with caution and limitations of data use: * ** The report by Lesmerises and St-Laurent (2018) must be cited when using this file (see Literature section). ** * The distribution area of the mountain caribou population of Gaspesia in this file represents the state of knowledge on the use of land by montane caribou between 1988 and 2016. * Information on the distribution of the Gaspesie mountain caribou population in this file represents the state of knowledge on land use by montane caribou between 1988 and 2016. * Information on the distribution of the Gaspesie mountain caribou population in this file represents the state of knowledge on land use by montane caribou between 1988 and 2016. * Information on the distribution of the Gaspesie mountain caribou population in this file represents the state of knowledge on land use by montane caribou between 1988 and 2016. * Information on the distribution of the local population does not allow us to establish with certainty that caribou are absent in territories outside of this range. * The range is subject to change, depending on new telemetry data that will be acquired, the refinement of our local knowledge and changes in the patterns of land use by caribou. ## #Description of the range of the local population of woodland caribou, mountain ecotype, population of Gaspésie The data represent the range of woodland caribou, mountain ecotype, population of Gaspesie (hereinafter mountain caribou of Gaspesie). The file contains the polygon and the name assigned to the population, the period covered by the telemetry data used during the delimitation exercise, and the date of the last update. The information contained in the file of occurrences of species in a precarious situation of the Quebec Natural Heritage Data Center (CDPNQ) is also present in the file (CDPNQ occurrence number, French, English and scientific name of the species, the type of occurrence, the rank of precariousness (rank S) and the status under the Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species, see MELCCFP 2023 for a description of these fields.). ## #Contexte of the publication The Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (hereinafter MELCCFP) is responsible for the monitoring and management of mountain caribou in Gaspésie (Government of Quebec, 2021 a, b). The local population has been identified as the appropriate monitoring and management scale for this species since each population may face different threats depending on the habitat and socio-economic context in which it is found (Environment Canada, 2008). The local population is defined as a group of caribou occupying a defined territory that is spatially distinct from the territories occupied by other caribou groups. The dynamics of the local population are determined primarily by local factors influencing birth and mortality rates, rather than by the contributions or losses resulting from immigration or emigration between groups. As a result, the range of the local population of mountain caribou in Gaspésie is defined as the geographic area where a group of individuals exposed to similar factors influencing their demographics live and which meets the needs of their life cycle during a given period (e.g. calving, rutting, wintering). In 2018, Lesmerises and St-Laurent produced the report *Influence of the rate of habitat disturbance, regional coyote abundance, and predator control on the demographic parameters of the Gaspesia-Atlantic caribou population* report presented to the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment Canada). One of the objectives of the report was to delineate the range of this population. The MELCCFP uses the distribution area delimited by Lesmerises and St-Laurent (2018) as part of the monitoring and management of mountain caribou in Gaspésie. For any questions related to the Lesmerises and St-Laurent report (2018), please contact Mr. St-Laurent ([Martin-hugues_St-laurent@uqar.ca] (mailto: Martin-hugues_St-laurent@uqar.ca)). ## #Méthodologie in a nutshell The methodology below is a summary of that described in Lesmerises and St-Laurent (2018). Telemetry data from three follow-ups carried out during different periods of time were used (1988-1991, 1998-2008 and 2013-2016). The caribou were equipped with VHF collars during the first two follow-ups. Aerial flights were carried out at various times in order to locate the caribou. During the follow-up from 2013 to 2016, the caribou were equipped with GPS/Argos collars programmed to acquire locations every 2 or 3 hours depending on the collar model used. The range of the mountain caribou population in Gaspesie was defined by estimating a minimum convex polygon comprising 99% of telemetry locations plus a 10 km buffer zone. Finally, the parts superimposed on the St. Lawrence River were removed. ## #Littérature Environment Canada. 2008. Scientific review for the identification of critical habitat for the boreal population of woodland caribou (*Rangifer tarandus caribou*) in Canada. August 2008. Ottawa: Environment Canada. 80 pp. + 192 pp. appendices. Government of Quebec. 2021 a. Monitoring system for forest caribou populations in Quebec and mountain caribou in Gaspésie 2020-2031: summary document, Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Directorate of Expertise on Terrestrial Wildlife, Herpetofauna and Avifauna, 16 pp. Government of Quebec. 2021 b. Literature review on the factors involved in the decline of forest caribou populations in Quebec and mountain caribou in Gaspésie, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Direction of expertise on terrestrial fauna, herpetofauna and avifauna, 244 pp. + 15p. appendices Lesmerises, F. and M.-H. St-Laurent. 2018. Influence of the rate of habitat disturbance, regional coyote abundance, and predator control on the demographic parameters of the caribou population in Gaspesia-Atlantique. Scientific report submitted to Environment Canada — Canadian Wildlife Service, Rimouski (Quebec). 22 pp. + 8 appendices. Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP). 2023. The Quebec Natural Heritage Data Center — Information document, Government of Quebec, Quebec, 32 pp.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

In order to effectively fight against aquatic invasive species, the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks has formulated a series of best practices. Among these good practices, cleaning watercraft greatly reduces the risks of dispersal of aquatic invasive species, whether animals or plants. In recent years, several municipalities in Quebec have installed cleaning stations (permanent or mobile), near water bodies, in order to protect them from the arrival of new invasive species or to reduce the risks of dispersion. The MELCCFP participated in this effort by funding several cleaning stations through its funding program. In order to facilitate the planning of nautical activities for citizens, it is important to make the location of these cleaning stations available. Thus, this dataset lists the location, address and name of known cleaning stations in Quebec. __WARNINGS:__ * The identification of these stations was carried out in collaboration with the Reunification of organizations of watersheds of Quebec and the Laurentides Regional Environment Council, as part of projects funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as the organizations managing the stations. There may be a time lag between the position listed in the data set and the actual location of the station. If you notice such a discrepancy, please inform the data set managers so that the necessary corrections can be made. * The “mobile” cleaning stations were positioned at their most frequent locations during the year. Depending on the season and current events in a locality, mobile stations may not be parked at the location listed. __** Update **__ * If you believe that information is incorrect for one of the stations, please send [DEFA@mffp.gouv.qc.ca] (mailto: DEFA@mffp.gouv.qc.ca) the information that needs to be changed to [] (mailto:) the information that needs to be changed, including the unique identifier of the station (__Station_Identifier__ field) in question.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**