Délimitation et caractérisation de l'environnement fluvial pour une application dans les parcs nationaux canadiens

Abstract

Kouchibouguac National Park's fluvial environment has been the subject of numerous studies. However, one area which has not yet been addressed is the fact that, in documents describing the Park's natural resources, the fluvial environment is not regarded as a distinctive entity from the terrestrial environment. While establishing a procedure that permits analysis of the watershed, sub-watershed and valley floor, the fluvial environment is put into perspective. This was demonstrated using a multi-disciplinary approach. Data for this study was collected from three watersheds in New Brunswick, the Rankin Brook, the Tetagouche River and the Middle River. Using a first draft of the methodology, two independent studies were done to validate this approach. The results obtained not only characterised the watershed but also the sub-watershed and the valley floor (reach and flood plain). At the watershed level and at the sub-watershed levels factors having an influence or impact on the water course were identified. At the valley floor level, the flood plain was delineated with the help of flood indicators (macro and micro indicators) and with the help of vegetation identification. It was noted however, that for the purpose of establishing a universal system, the delineation of the flood plain was more easily accomplished using macro and micro flood indicators rather than vegetation identification. By using this methodology, it can be shown that the fluvial environment distinguishes itself by the result of the interaction between the waterway and the milieu.