Ecology of reservoirs

  • We evaluate the effects of dams on biodiversity

    The fragmentation and regulation of large rivers by dams are considered to be major disturbances to aquatic ecosystem functions and biodiversity.

  • We also investigate how foodweb stability is affected by dams

    By using stable isotopes analysis and fish gastric lavages, we examine the interactions among species in reservoirs’ foodwebs and compared them with natural ecosystems

  • We also examine the evolution of ecological and biogeochemical variables following impoundment

    Following impoundment, reservoirs go through a non-equilibrium phase that can last up to 40 years. GHGs emissions, methylmercury concentration in the foodweb and secondary production vary greatly!

  • We develop indicators to better measure the environmental footprint of hydropower

    The LCA approach (Life cycle assessment) is internationally adopted to evaluate environmental footprint. We develop empirically derived characterization factors to measure the environmental footprint of hydropower

Projects in progress …

  • Effects of drawdown on foodweb and ecosystems services

    Thibaud André-Alphonse
    PhD thesis

  • Stability and foodweb structure in reservoirs

    Alejandro Sepulveda Correa
    PhD thesis

  • Predator-prey interactions in boreal reservoirs

    Ntsoa Razafimahefa
    PhD thesis

  • Spatio-temporal pattern in mercury in fish

    Cédrick Martin
    MSc thesis

  • Effects of run of the river dam on multi-trophic biodiversity

    Anthony Fontaine
    Postdoc

… Projects finished

  • What is going on after river impoudment? Transient patterns in biodiversity and productivity

    Turgeon et al. 2016. Ecosphere
    Turgeon et al. 2019 CJFAS
    Trottier et al. 2024. STOTEN

  • Meta-analysis comparing the impact of reservoirs on fish and macroinvertebrates

    Trottier et al. 2022. PLoSOne (Macroinvertebrates)
    Turgeon et al. 2021. Ecol. Lett. (Fish)

  • Developping ecological indicators (LCA) to evaluate hydropower footprint

    Trottier et. al. 2022. Sustainability (macroinvertebrates)
    Turgeon et al. 2021. Ecol. Ind. (Fish)

  • Using HGAM to evaluate changes in boreal fish community in reservoirs

    (2022-2025)
    MSc Thesis of Camille Lévesque

  • Impacts of small dams and lakes on stream thermal regimes

    Auffray et al. 2023. STOTEN