Freshwater estuaries are ecosystems characterized by high tides (>2m) hosting flora threatened by climate change and urban sprawl. The laboratory of systematics, phylogeny, biogeography and floristics directed by Étienne Léveillé-Bourret is beginning two studies on rare plant species in the freshwater estuary of the St. Lawrence, financed by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP).

1. Taxonomy of the rare Victorin’s waterhemlock (Cicuta maculata var. victorinii) This variety endemic to Quebec is designated as threatened at the provincial and federal level. However, morphological intermediates with the more common variety (var. maculata) create uncertainty regarding its taxonomic validity. Clarifying its status is imperative to be able to justify the conservation efforts currently underway. The study will combine field work, experiments in a common garden, herbarium and laboratory studies, to clarify the taxonomic status and characterize the genetic diversity of Victorin’s waterhemlock.
2. Taxonomy of the rare Provancher fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus var. provancheri) This variety is endemic to northeastern North America, with a distribution centered on the St. Lawrence estuary. The limit between this taxon and the more common variety (var. philadelphicus) is controversial, and there is debate on the real identity of the populations outside Quebec. Work in the field, in the common garden, in the herbarium and in the laboratory will help clarify its taxonomy and determine whether populations in Ontario and the United States are sufficiently genetically isolated to justify specific conservation measures.

For information, see this document.