Research project in collaboration with IRBV
In order to reverse the degradation of waterways and wetlands on the territory of Otterburn Park city, T2 Environnement and the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale de l’Université de Montréal (IRBV) are developing a research project aimed at proposing innovative restoration techniques within the Bernard Creek watershed. For this research project, Rachel Parent, a master’s student in plant biology at the IRBV, joined the T2 Environnement team for a 2-year internship. She will be working on a stream bank restoration project located in Otterburn Park, Montérégie, while working on her master’s research project.
The goal of the research project is to refine techniques for revegetation and restoration of degraded ecosystems by selecting plant species adapted to the challenges of root growth in clay soils to allow soil and riparian and aquatic ecosystems to regenerate. A secondary objective of the project is to select plants that attract pollinators. Tests will be conducted in the University of Montreal’s greenhouses prior to field implementation. The main steps of the research project are to :
- Select indigenous plant species showing good potential for exploration and regeneration of clay soils (literature review, greenhouse trial, data analysis);
- Conduct tests on the field to find the most efficient and economically viable implementation techniques (literature review, field trial, data analysis);
- Subsequently monitor the success of the establishment in the field (field follow-up, analysis of all results).
Whether it is for environmental, economic or simply aesthetic purposes, the restoration of shorelines using phytotechnologies, i‧e. using plants to solve environmental problems, represents a green, sustainable and effective option.
