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Quebec

With large areas in northern Quebec having the potential to remain stable under climate change, new protected areas must be well-connected to create corridors for species migrations.

Though Quebec is filled with many small protected areas, there is a clear gap in connectivity. Northern Quebec has high amounts of soil carbon and climate refuges, but a large gap in the protected areas network does not allow for connectivity between different regions. In the south, areas around the St. Lawrence River are a priority given the four overlapping key considerations: high carbon storage in soils, forest biomass, climate refuges, and high numbers of at-risk species. This region is heavily stressed by agriculture and urbanization. Since land in this southern region is predominantly privately-owned, protection through other effective conservation measures is necessary to safeguard wildlife.

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Regional Spotlight

Urbanized and agricultural areas in southern Quebec have high numbers of at-risk species including the barn swallow, bobolink and painted turtle. On the ground actions by private land owners could help with recovery of these species.