AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Estuarine Wetlands in Charlevoix-Est (2014)

This project aims to characterize the wetlands and disturbances observed along the coast. Thus, several bays, coves, and shores of the Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Siméon, Baie des Rochers, La Malbaie, and St-Irénée sectors have been characterized. A description of the sites, an identification of the elements of interest and disturbances, and an inventory of wild dumps have been carried out, thus allowing the proposal of mitigation measures to be taken.

This project was made possible thanks to the contribution of the Community Interactions Program (PIC). Funding for this joint program, linked to the Saint-Laurent Action Plan 2011-2016, is shared between Environment Canada and the ministry of Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
WISE-Man Project (WaterSat Imaging Spectrometer Experiment), Characterization of Shallow Inland and Coastal Waters: Optical Data

This dataset includes water optical parameters sampled in situ such as reflectance at sea surface and bottom, diffuse attenuation coefficient, downwelling irradiance and more. It is also possible to consult the other datasets on different themes related to the WISE-man project:

- [Biogeochemical data](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/en/dataset/ca-cioos_dbc63b41-b1ab-46be-a1a2-388d07c70cbb)

- [Data on the intertidal environment](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/en/dataset/a90987aa-61a3-4c0a-900f-3c97dfb2cca1)

- [Bathymetry](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/en/dataset/ca-cioos_65fe38af-baea-46cf-a0c6-e17145ce2f07)

The WaterSat Imaging Spectrometer Experiment (WISE) is developed for optically shallow inland and coastal waters assessment. The WISE-Man project objective was to demonstrate the potential of hyperspectral imagery for mapping bathymetry, water column quality (or inherent optical properties) and retrieve bottom properties; this in order to respond to the pressing needs of science (e.g. ecology, geomorphology, coastal risk), resource management and defence operation. Within the framework of WISE-Man, an intensive fieldwork campaign was conducted in the Manicouagan; Baie-Comeau region in August 2019.

This project is part of the Coastal Environmental Baseline Program Initiative under the Oceans Protection Plan of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Weather and Marine Forecasts

The regular marine forecast provides a description of the most significant weather conditions for up to 48 hours in advance of their occurrence. The regular marine forecast is issued at least twice daily. The times of issues are set regionally. The period of coverage will be for the current and following day of the week, referred to as day 1 and day 2.

The service of marine weather forecasts is integrated in the Navigation application on the SLGO website, which regroups data and information that are relevant to navigation into a single Web interface. You can view data in the [**NAVIGATION**](https://navigation.ogsl.ca/) application.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
RQM - CTD Data From the Winter Concerted Mission Aboard the CCGS Amundsen (MOH2019): Odyssée Saint-Laurent 2019

The 2019 winter collaborative mission, funded by the Réseau Québec maritime (RQM) St. Lawrence Odyssey program, is the program's second winter oceanographic mission aboard the icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. Formed by a strategic collaboration between the RQM, the Canadian Coast Guard and Amundsen Science, the mission's objective was to gather scientific knowledge essential to the understanding and management of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf during winter. The mission enabled 15 research teams from 5 different universities to acquire multidisciplinary data in line with 19 research objectives.

Vertical profiles of CTD data (conductivity, temperature, depth) were made in the water column at 10 stations distributed along the St. Lawrence system between west of Quebec City and the Lower Estuary. Profiles were taken from around 2 m below the surface to a maximum depth of around 323 m (station OSL 19-09). They incorporate direct measurements of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, irradiance, light transmission, fluorescence, coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and nitrate concentration in seawater. Discrete water samples were taken at various stations and depths to compare CTD's direct measurements with laboratory analyses of dissolved oxygen concentration (19 samples at 5 stations - Winkler chemical titration), nitrate concentration (77 samples at 10 stations), and chlorophyll a concentration (43 samples at 10 stations). These comparisons were used to adjust the calibration of CTD data for dissolved oxygen, fluorescence and nitrate concentration.

You can consult an [**interactive map**](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/en/dataset/ca-cioos_77254495-71e2-405e-b840-5a3cb3757958) including all the years of expeditions and the different trajectories (LEG) associated with them.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Wildlife Habitat Conservation Plan at the Mouths of the aux Orignaux and aux Glaises Rivers (2013)

The Les Deux Rives ZIP Committee has drawn up a plan for the conservation of wildlife habitats at the mouths of the aux Orignaux and aux Glaises rivers. Located on the municipal boundaries of Bécancour and Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, this area is a major refuge for wildlife since it is occupied by wetlands composed of different plant sequences, offering a wide variety of habitats. Despite the great richness of this wetland, it does not currently benefit from any special protection status.

With this in mind, the Comité ZIP Les Deux Rives and its partners decided to develop a plan for the conservation of wildlife habitats at the mouth of the aux Orignaux River. This conservation plan is intended for managers and environmental actors and proposes guidelines and recommendations to ensure the sustainability and improvement of the natural resources present in this sector.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Establishing Nekton Biodiversity Baseline for Estuarine Environments in Southwestern New Brunswick

The Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area in southwestern New Brunswick was first protected in 2006 as it was identified as the largest ecologically pristine estuary ecosystem in the Bay of Fundy. 


Ten sites within the estuary and three reference sites outside the protected area were sampled through fyke netting. Six of those sites, four inside and two outside the protected area, were also sampled using seine nets. Sites were sampled on a monthly basis, May through October, from 2019 to 2021, resulting in three seasons of data. Sampling occurred over two days and at low tide. The first day, a seine was conducted and the fyke net was deployed. The fyke net was retrieved the second day following two complete tidal cycles. Fish and invertebrates caught in the fyke and seine were measured in length (cm), weight (g), and condition. Condition was measured on a scale from 1 to 3, where 3 indicated good condition, 2 indicated a lesser condition caused by parasites or abrasions, and 1 indicated the individual's condition was so degraded that it may not survive. 


This project aims to create a baseline dataset of fish and macroinvertebrates from which to assess any future changes and monitor the chronic impacts of climate change. It is part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Coastal Environmental Baseline Program.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Atlas of Territories of Conservation Interest in the St. Lawrence Lowlands (2019)

Produced as part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan, the Atlas of territories of conservation interest in the St. Lawrence Lowlands presents sites where the conservation needs are most pressing. Conservation targets (coarse filter) selected for this atlas are woodlands, wetlands, open habitats (old fields, perennial crops), and aquatic environments, to which are added fine filter elements such as rare aquatic environments of the St. Lawrence River (spawning sites), alvars, colonial bird nesting sites, and other faunistic sites (e.g., nesting sites for bank swallow and chimney swift, etc.) and critical floristic sites. Our objective was to determine sites of interest until a 20% representativeness threshold; sites with high conservation interest were first selected, those sites being located within or adjacent to protected areas or unique forested ecosystems, sites hosting species at risk, or those having unique ecological features. A prioritization analysis was then carried out on conservation targets using a multi-criteria analysis when the 20% representativeness threshold was not reached following the selection analysis. Finally, a multitarget analysis was performed to determine regions with high concentration priority sites for multiple targets.

The geospatial data associated with these sites and the land cover mapping of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, essential data used to produce this atlas, are publicly available. This will allow users to visualize better the geographical location of the sites of interest and the conservation value associated with each habitat patch of the conservation targets (woodlands, wetlands, old fields, perennial crops, and aquatic environments) using geographic information systems (e.g., ArcGIS). Users will also have the opportunity to adapt the determination of sites of high conservation value given their own spatial territory and conservation objectives. Since the conservation of natural environments and species at risk is a shared responsibility, this atlas will address the priorities of numerous organizations involved in conserving coastal environments, i.e., conservation organizations, municipalities and RCMs, government organizations, and academic institutions.

View data in the [OCTO](https://slgo.ca/octo/) application and the scientific article published in the journal Le Naturaliste canadien: [***L’atlas des territoires d’intérêt pour la conservation dans les basses-terres du Saint-Laurent : un outil pour orienter la conservation des milieux naturels dans le sud du Québec***](https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/natcan/2020-v144-n2-natcan05514/1073990ar.pdf)

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
CTD Data for the 2024 BioDiv Spring Cruise in the Saint-Lawrence Gulf

The aim of the BioDiv (*id : 2024_06*) mission is to characterize phytoplankton and zooplankton in the coastal zone of the northwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

As part of this spring mission, CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) vertical profiles were carried out at 4 sites, each comprising 3 to 4 stations, between Baie-Trinité and Sept-Iles (Quebec North Shore). The CTD was also equipped with sensors to measure dissolved oxygen, turbidity and pH in the water column.

In addition, discrete water samples were taken at various stations and depths (surface for all stations, intermediate and bottom when depth is greater than 10m) to provide additional information on the water masses (concentrations of nutrients NO2+NO3, PO4, SiO2, dissolved and total carbon, chlorophyll a and phaeopigment, concentration of phycotoxins, concentration of bacteria, pico- and nanoplankton, flagellates).

Phytoplankton were also sampled using a 20µm net and Niskin bottles. Different size classes of zooplankton were collected with 63µm, 200µm and 333 or 500µm nets.

This dataset is part of the [**EDMS-ISMER-QO**](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/en/dataset/ca-cioos_038df9b4-381f-4a6e-8ca5-32295d604602) collection, as well as the [**Coastal Environmental Baseline Program Initiative**](https://ogsl.ca/en/coastal-environment-baseline-program/) under the Oceans Protection Plan of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Plan of Concerted Intervention for the Development and Protection of Peatlands on the Manicouagan Peninsula (2007)

The general objective of the intervention plan is to make recommendations to land managers and users regarding the future development of the Manicouagan Peninsula. These recommendations are based on the results of consultation between the main users of the territory and have the sustainable development of the territory as a guiding principle. 

More specifically, they are reflected in the following two guidelines: 

- Adequately and long-term protect the important biological components of the peninsula while maintaining the exploitation of natural resources, recreational tourism activities and the uses traditionally exercised by the local population. 

- Enhance certain habitats on the peninsula through the development of new recreational tourism activities that will increase local tourism potential and the ethics of users.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Plan for the Protection and Enhancement of the Portneuf Bank (2001)

This plan for the protection and enhancement of the Portneuf Bank is the result of the involvement of members of a committee formed by the *Comité ZIP de la Rive Nord de l'Estuaire*, the *Société de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec*, *Hydro-Québec*, the Coastal Committee Les Escoumins at the Betsiamites River, the *Union Québecoise pour la conservation de la nature*, the Municipality of Portneuf-sur-Mer, as well as several volunteer members interested in the development of the environment. The ideas expressed in this document were discussed by the committee members and resulted in a consensus after four consultation meetings. A press conference took place on August 28, 2001, in Portneuf-sur-Mer to announce the submission of the Portneuf Bank protection and development plan for public consultation. The public consultation took place on September 19, 2001, and allowed the content of the plan to be validated with the population. 

This protection and development plan first locates the environment at the level of the North Shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary. It then provides a description of the natural components of interest and the context of integration. The following two chapters respectively address with the main guidelines for protection and development and the framework measures deriving from the proposed statutes and zoning. Finally, several planning, development, management and awareness-raising approaches are proposed. Finally, a summary cost evaluation by budget item and a prioritization of interventions are presented.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Characterizing Harbour Seal Populations in Saint John Harbour (2018-2022)

The data consists of observations of seals at 6 different haulout sites along the Saint John Harbour. Locations include: Shag Rocks, Musquash Ledges, Sea Dog Cove, Round Reef, Island Bar and Dog Rocks. Biweekly observations were made using long-range spotting scopes, binoculars and drones from shore. All observations were made during an afternoon low tide, and were conducted year-round (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022). 

The data collected from this study will provide a basis for monitoring any seasonal changes in seal numbers and distribution along the southern New Brunswick coast.

This data are integrated into a larger set of data accessible through the [**BIODIVERSITY**](https://ogsl.ca/bio/) application. View the data directly on the link specific to [**this collection**](https://ogsl.ca/bio/?event/dataset/collection/id+in+(45)+and+mapCenter(-91.96442943710338,59.99542801140661)+and+mapZoom(4)).

This study was funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Coastal Environmental Baseline Program.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Age, Morphometrics and Mineralization Status of the Thorny Sea Pen Pennatula aculeata and the Greater Sea Pen Ptilella grandis from the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

Sea pens are ecologically important coral species in deep, cold-water ecosystems in the Northwest Atlantic where they form dense aggregations. Sea pens are threatened by bottom-contact fishing gears and potentially by global change drivers, including ongoing ocean acidification. To better understand their fundamental biology and how these environmental threats may affect sea pens, information on their age structure, growth rates and level of mineralization is required. We evaluate the age of the sea pens Pennatula aculeata (Danielssen 1860) and Ptilella grandis (Ehrenberg 1834) from two regions of contrasting densities in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In addition, we characterized relationships between the length, diameter, age, growth rate and mineralization status of sea pens central stem, known as the rachis. We revealed interspecific differences in age, length, diameter and growth rates, as well as intraspecific (regional) differences in age, length and diameter. On average, the mineral content of longer and older individuals was lower, especially in the upper extremity of the rachis, suggesting changes in mineralization during ontogeny, that may have evolved to guarantee a greater flexibility of the parts more exposed to currents. There were also interspecific differences in mineralization status, with P. aculeata generally being more highly mineralized.

For further information, please consult the following paper:

- [Camille, A., Virginie, R. & Piero, C. Inter- and intraspecific patterns in age, morphometrics and mineralization status in the thorny sea pen Pennatula aculeata and the greater sea pen Ptilella grandis. Discov Oceans 2, 9 (2025)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s44289-025-00046-9)

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Direct Human Impact, Driver of Environmental Change: eDrivers Project for the St.Lawrence System

We used the sum of coastal populations as a proxy of direct human impact. We used Statistics Canada dissemination area population count from the 2016 census to obtain coastal population size around the St. Lawrence. It is possible to access the dataset published on Open Data Canada concerning the [Cartographic boundary for dissemination areas of the 2016 Canadian census](https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/5a6e8f76-cfd2-4a69-acee-9ed205dd9556) and the one on [Population and dwelling counts, dissemination areas, from 2016 Census](https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/3cf36302-1060-444e-988a-d97b6db5ad24).

As the effects of direct human impacts are likely acute mostly in coastal areas we calculated total population in grid cells within 2 km of the coast. Total population was measured in a 10 km buffer around each coastal cell.

It is possible to consult the scientific report of the **eDrivers** project: [Characterizing Exposure to and Sharing Knowledge of Drivers of Environmental Change in the St. Lawrence System in Canada](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00383/full) and the [additional data](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00383/full#supplementary-material). It is possible to consult the application [eDrivers](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/dataset/ca-cioos_7c51ad5f-c2a9-4f4a-a78c-0b652e630825).

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Marine Mammal Sightings From the Whale Alert Application

The *Whale Alert* app allows users to report observations of the presence of whales, whether alive, dead, or in a vulnerable state, which provides crucial information for researchers and decision-makers. *Whale Alert* incorporates a long list of threatened and endangered species, such as the blue whale and the North Atlantic right whale, and covers Canadian and US waters. Users can play a direct role in the conservation of these species by reporting sightings of live, dead, and distressed animals. For more information, please see the [**data context**](https://ogsl.ca/en/biodiversity/mammals/whalealert/about).

**Note:** Sightings within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the USA aren't available through SLGO.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
Characterization of Coastal Wetlands in Southern Gaspesie (2001)

This dataset contains a characterization report prepared by the Comité Zip de la Gaspésie. A total of 42 coastal wetlands of more than one hectare have been characterized on the southern coast of Gaspésie, from Pointe-à-la-Croix to Gaspé. It includes various descriptions: habitats, plant groups, particular species, faunal aspects, eelgrass herbarium and human disturbances. 

Field work took place from July to September 2001. The different types of environments studied are: 11 estuarine barachois, 8 lagoon barachois, 17 estuaries, 2 coastal wet meadows and 4 coastal herbaceous forests.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory
RQM - CTD Data From the Winter Concerted Mission Aboard the CCGS Amundsen (MOH2020): Odyssée Saint-Laurent 2020

The 2020 winter collaborative mission, funded by the Réseau Québec maritime (RQM) Odyssée Saint-Laurent program, is the program's third winter oceanographic mission aboard the icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. Resulting from a strategic collaboration between the RQM, the Canadian Coast Guard and Amundsen Science, the mission's objective was to gather scientific knowledge essential to the understanding and management of the St. Lawrence River and Gulf during winter. The mission enabled 25 scientists from universities in Quebec and Ontario to acquire multidisciplinary data to document variability in the physico-chemical properties of the water column; monitor the presence of contaminants, bacteria and viruses; understand the life cycle of zooplankton (e.g., Calanus sp., and Mysis sp.) and the reproductive cycle of halibut in the Gulf; study the functional role of benthic fauna; and understand the role of pack ice in sediment dynamics and coastal erosion.

Vertical profiles of CTD data (conductivity, temperature, depth) were made in the water column at 32 stations distributed along the St. Lawrence system between west of Quebec City and the Lower Estuary, as well as in the Saguenay Fjord and Sept-Îles Bay. These profiles were conducted from around 2 m below the surface to a maximum depth of around 432 m (station G23). They incorporate direct measurements of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, irradiance, light transmission, fluorescence, pH, turbidity and nitrate concentration in seawater. Discrete water samples were taken at various stations and depths to compare CTD's direct measurements with laboratory analyses of dissolved oxygen concentration (20 samples at 6 stations - Winkler chemical titration), and chlorophyll a concentration (27 samples at 7 stations). These comparisons were used to adjust the calibration of CTD dissolved oxygen and fluorescence data.

You can consult an [**interactive map**](https://catalogue.ogsl.ca/en/dataset/ca-cioos_77254495-71e2-405e-b840-5a3cb3757958) including all the years of expeditions and the different trajectories (LEG) associated with them.

Organization: St. Lawrence Global Observatory