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Research projects

Science is at the heart of our mission

Plan a research project

Requesting a research permit

You must request a research permit before starting your fieldwork.

To apply:

  1. Fill out the Research Permit Application
  2. If you wish to stay overnight, please also fill the Lodging Form

Once your request is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Reserve. We will be in touch by email with more information.

A researchers holds a clear box filled with numbered vials.

Access to data

Bibliography of past research

Consult the list of publications to know more about past research taking place at Gault Nature Reserve.

Gault Research Awards

Gault Nature Reserve takes pride in supporting research endeavors. Research projects offer a rewarding experience and serve as a significant stepping stone for the academic and professional growth of students.

Quantifying the form and function of aquatic plants in Southern Quebec

Lindsay Trottier, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Lars Iversen
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2023
Research area: Lake Hertel (Gault Nature Reserve) and Lake Memphrémagog (Wilder and Helen Penfield Nature Conservancy)

Projects funded by the Gault Research Awards

The Gault Research Awards program funds projects at Gault Nature Reserve (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC) or at the Wilder and Helen Penfield Nature Conservation (Lac Memphrémagog, QC).

For more information regarding application deadlines, project development, or to confirm eligibility and relevance, please reach out to us at: science@reservegault.ca.

Research equipment

The special nature of the mountain, its rich scientific history, its proximity to Montreal, its accommodations and its teaching and research facilities make it an exceptional venue for academic and scientific activities.

Adaptable Earth Observation System (AEOS) Laboratory

Inaugurated in 2022, the Adaptable Earth Observation System (AEOS) serves as a laboratory for advanced ecological and meteorological research. Learn more.

Many water-filled black plastic cattle bins are located outdoors in front of a laboratory.

Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP)

Inaugurated in 2016, the Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP) at Gault Nature Reserve consists of 96 “ponds”, which can be filled with water from Lac Hertel to conduct mesocosm experiments. Learn more.

A laboratory interior featuring lab benches and stools

Stearn teaching laboratory

This laboratory is dedicated to field courses. It was once known at the Stearn Lithological Library. McGill University researchers used it to preserve rock and mineral samples.

A wooden laboratory is situated along a stream in a forest in winter.

Hydrology lab

This laboratory was the old chlorination station for the RIEVR (Régie Intermunicipale de l'Eau de la Vallée du Richelieu). It provides direct access to water from Lac Hertel.

Four researchers are manipulating scientific equipment on the Lac Hertel mesocosms

Lac Hertel Mesocosms

An experimental dock used to study aquatic communities. It can contain up to 32 replicates (mesocosms), enabling environmental conditions manipulation without adverse impacts on the natural ecosystem. Learn more.

Fleet of research boats

Gault offers a fleet of boats for aquatic studies and data collection. Oars and electric motors are provided, as well as life vests.

Network of white-tailed deer exclosures

Since 2006, numerous exclosures have been built on Mont Saint-Hilaire. These fenced areas allow for the study of vegetation response to white-tailed deer browsing. Each exclosure is paired with a control plot of the same size. Learn more.

A buoy equipped with scientific equipment and a solar panel on a lake.

Biological Observation Buoy (BOB)

This buoy takes continuous measures of environmental variables in Lac Hertel water column (temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, turbidity, etc.) Learn more.

A glass dome with a door

Dome

Experimental pond (6.5 m in diameter and 2 m deep) covered by a geodesic dome for environmental control. This infrastructure enhances the ecological realism of our experiments while retaining very high levels of control and replication.

Two people are fixing equipment in a white box wearing warm clothing

Weather stations

The Gault Nature Reserve contains a network of autonomous weather stations that continuously monitor environmental conditions in the forest ecosystem. These weather stations are linked via radio to a central server that records and stores the information.

Want to learn more about our infrastructures before applying for a research permit? Contact us at science@reservegault.ca.

Recent research projects

Each year, numerous scientists and students explore Mont Saint-Hilaire, contributing to our understanding of its ecosystems.

Impacts of white-tailed deer browsing on white trillium

Long-term project of the Gault Nature Reserve

Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2006
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

Quantifying the form and function of aquatic plants in Southern Quebec

Lindsay Trottier, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Lars Iversen
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2023
Research area: Lake Hertel (Gault Nature Reserve) and Lake Memphrémagog (Wilder and Helen Penfield Nature Conservancy)

Factors to predict spongy moth reservoirs between outbreaks: Historic outbreak severity and forest composition

Noa Davidai, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Emma Despland and Prof. Carly Ziter
Affiliation: Concordia University
Start date: 2023
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve and surrounding area

Adaptation to Multiple Simultaneous Stressors in Freshwater Bacterioplankton

Akhil Sanjay Kholwadwala, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Rowan Barrett and Prof. Jesse Shapiro
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2023
Research area: Large Experimental Array of Ponds

Monitoring the Effects of Herbicides on Bacterioplankton

Emma Derrick, M.Sc.

Supervisor: Prof. Jesse Shapiro
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2022
Research area: LEAP

Assessing the Impact of Surrounding Microbial Community Interactions on Rhizobium Following Herbicide Stress

Maxime Guglielmetti, B.Sc.

Supervisor: Prof. Rowan Barrett
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2022
Research area: LEAP

WINTRE-MIX

Researchers: Prof. John Gyakum and colleagues

Affiliation: McGill University, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), University of Albany, University of Colorado, University of Wyoming, National Research Council Canada
Start date: 2022
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve and surrounding areas

Using Drones and Thermal Imagery to Estimate White-Tailed Deer Overpopulation on Mont Saint-Hilaire

Savannah Bissegger O'Connor, B.Sc.

Supervisors: Dr. Tim Elrick and Prof. Jeffrey Cardille
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2021
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

The Effect of Contaminants on Mercury Buildup in Aquatic Food Webs

Maude Lachapelle, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Irene Gregory-Eaves et Dr. Zofia Taranu
Affiliation: McGill University and Environment and Climate Change Canada
Start date: 2021
Research area: Lac Hertel

A Case Study on Ticks and Lyme Disease: Exploring the Impacts of Humans on Wildlife, Ecosystem Health and Disease Risk.

Kari Hollett, M.Sc.

Supervisor: Prof. Virginie Millien
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2021
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

Finding Common Ground: How Hikers Influence White-Tailed Deer Space-Use Patterns in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Frédérique Truchon, M.Sc.

Supervisors: Prof. Virginie Millien and Prof. Martin-Hugues Saint-Laurent
Affiliation: McGill University and Université du Québec à Rimouski
Start date: 2018
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

A basic community dynamics experiment: Disentangling deterministic and stochastic processes in structuring ecological communities

Mark Jewell, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Graham Bell
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2018
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

Interactive impacts of global change on freshwater plankton: implications for lake food web structure and function

Marie-Pier Hébert, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Professor Gregor Fussmann
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2016
Research area: Lac Hertel

Invasive Species: A Study of Tench and Their Invasion Potential

Sunci Avlijaš, Ph.D.

Supervisors: Prof. Anthony Ricciardi
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2018
Research area: Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP)

LEAP (Large Experimental Array of Ponds)

Supervisor: Prof. Andrew Gonzalez
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2016
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

Ecological and evolutionary response of phytoplankton to rising CO2

Étienne Low-Decarie, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Gregor Fussmann (Ph.D.) Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2012
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve and surrounding area

Flora evolution at Gault Nature Reserve

Robin Beauséjour, M.Sc.

Supervisor: Prof. Marc Vellend
Affiliation: Sherbrooke University
Start date: 2011
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

The effects of landscape structure and biodiversity on ecosystem services

Matthew Mitchell, Ph.D.

Supervisor: Prof. Elena Bennett
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2011
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve and surrounding area

Pollination services are mediated by bee functional diversity and landscape context

Kyle Texeira-Martins, M.Sc.

Supervisor: Prof. Martin Lechowicz
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2010
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve and surrounding area

As climate warms, mice morph

Researcher: Prof. Virginie Millien

Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2007
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve

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