Participation of aboriginal people in Canadian forestry is a requirement of sustainable management. We proposed a culturally adapted process to integrate Cree and scientific knowledge in Eeyou Istchee (northern Quebec) that could contribute to a better mutual understanding between Cree and non-Cree, and eventually favour the social acceptability of forest management strategies. We studied moose ( Alces alces L.), the Cree featured species and the main forestry issue for the past 40 years. Cree and non-Cree have culturally differing visions for the management of moose habitat. In a previous article, we documented Cree knowledge about moose–habitat relationships. Here, we evaluated some hypotheses built from Cree knowledge by studying the behaviour of moose equipped with GPS collars. In general, results from our habitat use and selection analyses agreed with Cree observations and improved our understanding of moose–habitat relationships in northern Quebec. We jointly demonstrated the importance of mature mixedwoods, balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) stands, and riparian areas for moose in the northern black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) forest. In these specific areas, management approaches other than clear-cutting should be developed to preserve moose habitat quality. Such an alternative would potentially be more acceptable for the Cree people.

Large-scale timber harvesting in the northern black spruce forest, on Quebec Cree territory, causes immediate loss of productive wildlife habitat for Cree hunters. Duration of this impact is key information to improve forest management. The objective here was to examine the postharvesting habitat restoration delay for snowshoe hare, a species valuable to Cree hunters, as well as a wildlife indicator of the sapling stage. A minimum threshold for vegetation development was established, at which the return of hare populations is considered acceptable by Cree hunters. To do so, an adaptive approach was used, combining Cree hunter knowledge and biological assessment. Hare populations were monitored in 36 cut blocks, ranging from 0 to 30 years after harvest. Cree hunters were interviewed to determine when a cut block becomes adequate for snaring. The combined analysis of the two knowledge sources indicated that stands that meet the threshold average 4 m in height, 6300 trees/ha in density, and are aged between 13 and 27 years. Current regulation sets this threshold at 3 m in height, regardless of cut block scale, and at 20 years postcut when considering family hunting ground scale, and thus, does not fully meet sustainable resource development objectives.Résumé : Les coupes forestières d'envergure, dans la pessière noire nordique chez les Cris du Québec, impliquent une perte immédiate d'habitats fauniques productifs. La durée de cet impact est une information clé pour y améliorer les pratiques forestières. Nous avons analysé la restauration de l'habitat du lièvre d'Amérique après coupe, une espèce indicatrice d'intérêt. Un seuil minimal de développement de la végétation a été déterminé pour permettre le rétablissement acceptable des populations de lièvres pour les chasseurs cris. Une approche adaptative combinant les connaissances de ces chasseurs et une évaluation biologique a été utilisée. Les populations de lièvres ont été suivies à l'intérieur d'aires de coupe âgées de 0 à 30 ans. Les chasseurs cris ont été consultés pour déterminer quand un parterre en régénération devenait bon pour le colletage. L'analyse combinée des deux savoirs a démontré qu'un peuplement atteint ce seuil lorsqu'il est âgé entre 13 et 27 ans et qu'il est composé de 6300 tiges/ha d'une hauteur moyenne de 4 m. La réglementation actuelle chiffre ce seuil à 3 m pour un secteur d'intervention et à 20 ans pour un territoire de chasse familial, ce qui ne permet pas d'atteindre pleinement les objectifs de développement durable des ressources.

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