Évaluation des impacts de l'illumination du pont Jacques-Cartier sur l'avifaune et l'entomofaune

• Main Author: Nankoo, Shivia
• Other Authors: Galvez, Rosa
• Format: Thesis
• Language: French
• Published: Université Laval 2019
• Subjects: geo; envir; Canada; The Chimney; Falco peregrinus; peregrine falcon
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11794/37276

Several lights were installed on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge on May 17, 2017 to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the city of Montreal and the 150th anniversary of Canada. Lights vary in color and intensity and are illuminated every night, for a period of at least 10 years. Université Laval applied for the tender issued by the bridge’s organisation to determine the effect of the illumination on species that live near or on the bridge, specifically the cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), the chimney swift (Chaetura pelagica) and the insect fauna. The observations, conducted in 2017 and 2018, consisted of detecting the presence, abundance, nesting behavior and activity rate of the species of interest. The results reported that the common nighthawk and the chimney swift were not detected near the bridge and therefore seem to be unaffected by the illumination. Observations of the peregrine falcon indicated that the species was only seen in 2018. Although the bridge was used as a hunting ground, no nesting occurred. The observations on the cliff swallow showed the bridge had no impact on the species in 2017. However, in 2018, the species was more abundant, especially in the illuminated zone, and was more active in the evening when the lights were on. Although observations of the insect fauna showed no impact from the bridge in 2017, abundance of insects in 2018 was higher near the illuminated part of the bridge. A food chain seems to connect the insects, the swallows and the falcons since it is possible that an increase in one causes an increase in the next. The implications of these observations are explained, and recommendations are made on further follow-up. Plusieurs lumières ont été installées sur le pont Jacques-Cartier le 17 mai 2017 afin de célébrer le 375ième anniversaire de la ville de Montréal et le 150ième anniversaire du Canada. Les lumières varient en couleur et intensité et sont illuminées toutes les nuits, pour ...