Effects of Plant Cover Improvements for Nesting Ducks on Grassland Songbirds

Several islands located along the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec have been used as natural pastureland by cattle for decades. Recently, a rest-rotation grazing system and dense nesting cover were established on four islands near Varennes to improve duck nesting conditions. The effects of these two plant cover improvements on the abundance of grassland songbirds were assessed through four treatments: (1) idle fields with no vegetation improvement but exclusion of cattle (IDLE), (2) improved pastures with seeding of forage plants for cattle (IMPP), (3) dense seeded nesting cover fields improved for ducks and where cattle were excluded (DNC), and (4) natural or unimproved pastures grazed by cattle after the duck nesting season (UIPP). The overall abundance of birds was similar among treatments before cover improvements as well as two years after. The abundance of Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) was significantly greater in DNC and UIPP two years after treatments while Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were more abundant in DNC and IDLE. Plant cover improvements had little impact on Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) abundance. Furthermore, few annual or treatment-related changes were observed for less abundant species. On the short-term, duck nesting cover improvements in natural pastures did not have any major effect on grassland songbirds on Varennes islands

Réussite scolaire, symptômes anxieux et dépressifs rapport de recherche /

"La présente recherche a été subventionnée par le Ministère de l'éducation, du loisir et du sport dans le cadre du Programme d'aide à la recherche sur l'enseignement et l'apprentissage (PAREA)"Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 19 février 2008).Également disponible en format papier.Bibliogr

L’EROP : 10 ans pour le rétablissement des oiseaux de proie au Québec

L’Équipe de rétablissement des oiseaux de proie du Québec (EROP) a été fondée en 2004, à la suite de la fusion des équipes de rétablissement du faucon pèlerin (Falco peregrinus), du pygargue à tête blanche (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) et de l’aigle royal (Aquila chrysaetos). À ces espèces d’intérêt pour l’EROP s’est ajouté récemment le hibou des marais (Asio flammeus). À l’aide des plans de rétablissement de chacune des espèces, l’EROP veille à la mise en oeuvre de mesures de conservation (p. ex. acquisition de connaissances, sensibilisation, protection) visant à redresser la situation des populations d’oiseaux de proie en situation précaire au Québec. Cet article présente le mandat, le mode de fonctionnement et les principales réalisations de l’EROP au cours de la dernière décennie. The Québec raptor recovery team (EROP) was established in 2004 following the merger of the peregrine falcon (Falcoperegrinus), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagle (Aquilachrysaetos) recovery teams. Recently, the short-eared owl (Asioflammeus) has also been added to the list of species covered by EROP. The team aims to foster conservation measures (e.g., data collection, public awareness and protection) to improve the population status of endangered birds of prey, and achieves this through the publication of species recovery plans. This article outlines the mission, and the working and main achievements of EROP over the past decade

Divergence of Arctic shrub growth associated with sea ice decline

Arctic sea ice extent (SIE) is declining at an accelerating rate with a wide range of ecological consequences. However, determining sea ice effects on tundra vegetation remains a challenge. In this study, we examined the universality or lack thereof in tundra shrub growth responses to changes in SIE and summer climate across the Pan-Arctic, taking advantage of 23 tundra shrub-ring chronologies from 19 widely distributed sites (56°N to 83°N). We show a clear divergence in shrub growth responses to SIE that began in the mid-1990s, with 39% of the chronologies showing declines and 57% showing increases in radial growth (decreasers and increasers, respectively). Structural equation models revealed that declining SIE was associated with rising air temperature and precipitation for increasers and with increasingly dry conditions for decreasers. Decreasers tended to be from areas of the Arctic with lower summer precipitation and their growth decline was related to decreases in the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index. Our findings suggest that moisture limitation, associated with declining SIE, might inhibit the positive effects of warming on shrub growth over a considerable part of the terrestrial Arctic, thereby complicating predictions of vegetation change and future tundra productivity

A collaborative model to implement flexible, accessible and efficient oncogenetic services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer : the C-MOnGene study

Medical genetic services are facing an unprecedented demand for counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in a context of limited resources. To help resolve this issue, a collaborative oncogenetic model was recently developed and implemented at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval; Quebec; Canada. Here, we present the protocol of the C-MOnGene (Collaborative Model in OncoGenetics) study, funded to examine the context in which the model was implemented and document the lessons that can be learned to optimize the delivery of oncogenetic services. Within three years of implementation, the model allowed researchers to double the annual number of patients seen in genetic counseling. The average number of days between genetic counseling and disclosure of test results significantly decreased. Group counseling sessions improved participants' understanding of breast cancer risk and increased knowledge of breast cancer and genetics and a large majority of them reported to be overwhelmingly satisfied with the process. These quality and performance indicators suggest this oncogenetic model offers a flexible, patient-centered and efficient genetic counseling and testing for HBOC. By identifying the critical facilitating factors and barriers, our study will provide an evidence base for organizations interested in transitioning to an oncogenetic model integrated into oncology care; including teams that are not specialized but are trained in genetics

L'économie du savoir marquerait-elle la fin du déclin pour Montréal? /

Bibliogr.: p. 15-1

Interventions to enhance adherence to dietary advice for preventing and managing chronic diseases in adults

The Adiliyah Mosque, located in the Saffahiyah district, was built by the Wali Mohammed Basha in 1556. The mosque has a main courtyard with a covered water pool. A double parallel colonnade creates the mediating space between the courtyard and the north side of the main prayer hall. The prayer hall is square in plan each side measuring 23m. The mosque has one cylindrical minaret built in the Ottoman style. Source: Rihawi, Abdul Qader. 1979. Arabic Islamic Architecture in Syria. Damascus: Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. 231.exterior, general view from Citadel facing south, 199