09/08/2026
Between high tide and low tide lies a vibrant ecosystem: the intertidal zone. Organisms such as clams, mussels, barnacles, marine worms and algae call this area home. Yet these species remain relatively understudied in the Saguenay Fjord.
This summer, Arianne Lebel, a master’s student in biology at Université Laval, is exploring the fjord from La Baie to Tadoussac to better understand this biodiversity. With her team, she is sampling nine sites at low tide across different habitats, including salt marshes, soft sediments and rocky shores.
In the field, the team is documenting the species present and characterizing their habitats. 🔎 Sensors are also used to continuously monitor temperature, salinity, water level and light. These data will help researchers better understand the conditions that influence where species are found and how they are distributed. The knowledge gathered will help assess the ecological condition of the fjord’s intertidal habitats and support their conservation. 🐚
This project is led by Philippe Archambault (Université Laval), with Mathieu Cusson (Université du Québec à Chicoutimi) as co-supervisor, and with the participation of Clémence Grégoire, a biology student.
