Terrestrial Paleoecology Laboratory

This laboratory is used to study terrestrial paleoecology, palynology and anthracology. Macrofossil (plants and insects) and microfossil (pollen grains and spores) analyses of peat or lake sediments are carried out, as well as studies based on charcoal.  It is the only laboratory in Quebec dedicated to the post-glacial history of vegetation and ecosystems using pollen and macrofossil analysis. It is also the only laboratory with an infrastructure in soil micromorphology and expertise in the identification of fossil cephalic capsules of defoliating insects. It also has the most elaborate reference collection of macrofossil pieces in Quebec.  Various equipment for field coring of sediments and sample preparation for pollen and macrofossil analysis; optical microscopes; photomicrographic system for microscope; digital camera system for microscopy; stereoscopic magnifiers; oven; reference collections.