Ensuring better management of the North River watershed
In order to better manage its natural heritage, Abrinord, the organization of the Rivière du Nord watershed, called upon Habitat to conduct an evaluation of several ecosystem services associated with the natural environments of its territory. We first carried out a geomatic characterization of the territory, then analyzed the ecosystem services provided and finally determined the economic value associated with these services.
Highlights of our analysis:
The assessment of the services rendered by the natural environments of the Integrated Water Management Area (IWMA) hasidentified the sectors where the natural environments are most affected by human activities and where the implementation of mitigation and/or restoration measures should be prioritized.
At the scale of the EBSA, the value associated with the assessed ecosystem services is $522.7 million per year. As an example, the total value of carbon stored by the natural environments in the LOMA is $6.7 billion.
According to a survey, the population residing in the GIA would be willing to contribute financially to the protection and restoration of the territory's wetlands. On average, the population is ready to donate 40$/year/person for the conservation of wetlands.
Erosion control
Carbon sequestration and storage
Pollution control
Willingness to conserve
Press release
Saint-Jérôme, April 4, 2022 - A new study shows that the natural environments of the Rivière du Nord watershed in the Laurentians offer citizens numerous benefits, ecosystem services, whose economic value is estimated at $522.7 million per year. These environments help regulate the climate by storing and sequestering carbon, controlling erosion and pollutants, mitigating flooding and maintaining habitats for biodiversity.
