Welcome to the conservation and socio-ecology lab
What do we do?
We integrate socio-ecological complexity in our research projects to conserve and manage our ecosystems and their biodiversity, with a focus on aquatic ecosystems. Our research is transdisciplinary and inclusive, and works at the interface of ecology and sociology. Here are our main research themes (click on a theme to learn more):
THEME 1
Ecology of regulated aquatic ecosystems
THEME 2
Aquatic connectivity and biodiversity
THEME 3
Human dimension in fisheries
THEME 4
Human dimension in conservation science
THEME 5
Wetland biodiversity and hydrology
Who are we?
We are a team of 18 researchers (PI, postdocs, PhD and MSc candidates) working on various subjects related to aquatic ecology and socio-ecology.
Meet Kat (Lab PI) here.
Meet our TEAM here.
Interested in joining the lab? Click here!
News from the lab
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Sept. 2025 | GRIL Fishing workshop
The lab organized a workshop on ethical fish manipulation and fish capture at the Reserve Papineau-Labelle (Sépaq) as an activity for GRIL’s members (17 students and profs). We learned a lot, had a lovely weather, ate way too much marshmallows and Nick cooked us some awesome meals! Thanks to all trainers and trainees.
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June 2025 | Finalists in the 2025 AquaHacking competition
Two lab members (F. Sotelo and B. Nelaton) were finalists in the AquaHacking competition. They developped and interactive, collaborative platform that centralizes and shares data on lakes, while involving citizens and researchers in their monitoring and protection.
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April - May 2025 | Students visiting Barbados' ecosystems
During two weeks, Kat brought 8 undergraduated students from the Bachelor degree in Ecology and Environment of UQO in Barbados to discover coral reefs, mangroves, intertidal pools, beaches invaded with sargassum (picture) and much more! We learned a lot!
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April 2025 | Welcome Anthony!
The lab is happy to welcome Anthony Fontaine as a new postdoc in the Lab. Anthony is co-supervised by Marc Amyot and myself. During his postdoc, Anthony will study the impacts of multiple stressors (hydropower, timber harvest and fires) on fish community (diversity, fish growth, mercury contamination).
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March 2025 | The lab was well represented at the GRIL symposium!
We had a blast at the annual GRIL symposium! The lab was well represented and many of us presented their work and progress. We shared knowledge, met new people and had fun on the dance floor. Thumbs up for the program and the organization.
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Jan 2025 | 22nd Barbados Marine Robotics Workshop
Kat and PO participated in the 22nd Barbados Marine Robotics Workshop in Barbados to develop tools to map and survey aquatic and marine ecosystems in non-invasive ways. Despite choppy waters, we successfully collected valuable data. More to come!
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Nov 2024 | Macrophytes as NbS!
Kat and Thibaud (PhD candidate) participated in a scientific retreat at the Gault reserve with 20 more researchers to discuss on how aquatic macrophytes (fresh and saltwater) could be used as Nature Based Solution (NbS). A cool paper should emerge from this very productive retreat! Stay posted.
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Sept. 2024 | Welcome Izaak!
The lab is happy to welcome Izaak Régis as a new Master student. Izaak project will examine the impacts of riparian vegetation control in hydroelectric powerlines on biodiversity and hydrological dynamics. This project is coconstructed in collaboration with Hydro-Québec. Fieldwork in June 2025.
Canada Research Chair
The lab hosts the Canadian Research Chair in socio-ecology of conservation, fish and wildlife management (Tier 2) offered to Katrine Turgeon (Lab PI)
The lab develops new tools and knowledge to understand how humans and nature interact.
By using case studies, we take a transdisciplinary approach and work closely with various stakeholders to tackle problems that are directly applicable to conservation and natural resources management to guide policy decisions and education within the context of global change.
