Using environmental nucleic acids to monitor fish diversity in the main tributaries of the St Lawrence River

This project investigates how human pressure affects fish communities in the St. Lawrence River tributaries through a collaboration between the Comité Zone d’Intervention Prioritaire du Haut St-Laurent (ZIP) and PhD student Simone Miklosi. Together, ZIP and Simone developed research questions, selected sampling sites, and identified key environmental variables to assess.

To support the collaboration a member of ZIP will act as an advisor on Simone’s PhD thesis project. In April, June, and September 2025, Simone will collect DNA and RNA from water samples, a non-invasive method, at 18 sites along a gradient of human impact. ZIP will simultaneously collect water quality data, while both partners will collaborate to evaluate habitat conditions. The team will examine how riparian zones, water quality, and land use influence fish diversity using statistical models and analyses. The study will also compare the effectiveness of DNA and RNA for detecting shifts in community composition over time.

After data collection, Simone and ZIP will co-develop reports and presentations to share findings with government agencies and conservation groups. This collaborative, non-invasive research will provide essential insights into how fish communities respond to human pressures, supporting ZIP’s efforts to identify and protect critical tributaries for at-risk fish species.

Faculty Supervisor:

Melania Cristescu

Student:

Partner:

Comité ZIP du Haut Saint-Laurent

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program: