• Climate Change

Ecological Connectivity and Climate Transition in Quebec 

As North America’s climate heats up, nature is forced to move. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are pushing many species, both plants and animals, northward in search of more suitable habitats^[1]. In the coming century, the bioclimatic niches of countless species are expected to shift over 500 kilometers north^[2]. At the crossroad of these ecological changes is Québec, a province now playing a critical role in the survival of species across the continent.  

But it’s not an easy journey. Wildlife face both natural and human-made barriers – mountain ranges, rivers, cities, and highways – that make their dispersion more difficult. In southern Quebec, where natural habitats are fragmented, some species may struggle to move, making them more vulnerable to climate change impacts. 

Ecological Connectivity: A Nature-Based Solution for Adaptation  

Québec is tackling these challenges by focusing on ecological connectivity – creating and preserving ecological corridors that help wildlife move to more favorable environments. These natural pathways allow species to adapt to changing climates while boosting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. 

A key part of Québec’s strategy is its inclusion of ecological connectivity in its 2024-2029 Implementation of the 2030 Plan for the Green Economy. This plan supports the conservation and establishment of these corridors, giving species a better chance to thrive by facilitating their movement. 

In addition, under the Action-Climat Québec Program, the government has supported the Québec initiative Corridors Ecologiques (Ecological corridors), a project designed to foster collaboration among regional municipalities, local governments, landowners, farmers, forest managers, Indigenous communities, and other local actors, all working to conserve ecological corridors. By working together, these stakeholders are ensuring that nature-based solutions are integrated into territorial planning, and accelerating the conservation of connected natural environments. 

By promoting the conservation of these corridors, Québec aims to enhance the adaptive capacity of both ecosystems and its citizens, using biodiversity conservation as a critical tool in the fight against climate change.  

Connecting Nature: The Science Behind Effective Ecological Corridors

The effectiveness of these ecological corridors is further strengthened using data and science. The province is actively participating in a regional initiative with New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers, focused on ecological connectivity, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. Together, they’ve launched Connectiviteecologique.com, a platform providing organizations with the best available science on protecting natural pathways across Eastern North America. This resource helps catalog successful projects, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and lessons learned.

In addition, Québec is also using a data-driven approach for its current and future conservation efforts through the Biodiversity Monitoring Network, a pioneering large-scale project aimed at understanding the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and species. This initiative helps decision-makers anticipate and manage the capacity of natural environments and communities to adapt to changing conditions—a practice recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as essential for effective climate adaptation. Learn more about the Biodiversity Monitoring Network on Regions4 Knowlege Hub.

The stakes are high, but Québec is stepping up to the challenges. By focusing on creating and maintaining natural pathways, Québec is setting up a strong future for its wildlife and its people. The survival of many species relies on these pathways today, as they will shape the ecosystems of tomorrow.

Watch our #RegionsVoice video and discover more about Quebec’s story:

^[1] Alberti-Dufort, A., Bourduas Crouhen, V., Demers-Bouffard, D., Hennigs, R., Legault, S., Cunningham, J., Larrivée, C. and Ouranos (2022). Quebec; Chapter 2 in Canada in a Changing Climate: Regional Perspectives Report, (ed.) F.J. Warren, N. Lulham, D.L. Dupuis, and D.S. Lemmen; Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
^[2] Ouranos. 2015. Synthèse des connaissances sur les changements climatiques au Québec