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Concordia University
Concordia University

Pascale Biron, PhD

Professor, Geography, Planning and Environment

Biography    Research activities    Selected publications    Teaching activities   

Pascale Biron, PhD
Projects

River dynamics and fish habitat in perturbed environments
Large-scale flood modelling
Hydrogeomorphological risks to road infrastructure
Numerical modelling of river dynamics
Freedom space for rivers

Research activities

GEOG 375 Hydrology
GEOG 377 Landform Evolution
GEOG 463 Advanced GIS
HENV 655 Environmental Modelling

Graduate Student Supervision (last 5 years)


  1. Rousseau, Y., Ph.D. A novel, generic approach to simulate bank retreat in alluvial river channels. Started: 2010. Completed 2018 (Co-supervisor: Dr. M. Van De Wiel)
  2. Martel, N., M.Sc. Effet de la morphologie du chenal et de la structure de l’écoulement sur la mise en place et l’évolution d’un couvert de glace à une confluence. Started 2014. Completed 2018 (Co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  3. Massé, S., Ph.D. Le rôle de l'intégration des connaissances scientifiques dans la prise de décision quant à la gestion des cours par l’approche d’espace de liberté. Started 2014. In progress (Co-supervisors: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR and Dr. J. Ruiz, Sciences de l'environnement, UQTR)
  4. Botrel, M., Ph.D. Rôle de la dynamique des courants dans la capacité de rétention et de transformation du phosphore et de l'azote dans les herbiers aquatiques. (co-supervisors: Dr. R. Maranger, Dept de biologie, Université de Montréal and Dr. C. Hudon, Environment Canada). Started 2015. Completed 2022.
  5. Bulat, M., M.Sc, Three-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling of the impact of macrophytes in Lake St-Pierre. Started 2016. Completed 2018. (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Lacey, Université de Sherbrooke)
  6. Marchand, J.-P., Ph.D. Restoration of riparian wetlands in highly degraded agricultural environments. Started: 2017. In progress. (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie UQAR)
  7. Hugue, F. Post-doctoral fellow. Development of semi-automated tool to determine freedom space of rivers. Started: 2017. Completed 2018.
  8. Mazgareanu, I., M.Sc. Impact of tributaries on channel mobility downstream of confluences. Started: 2017. Completed 2019. (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  9. Foote, K., Ph.D. Hydrogeomorphology and fish habitat restoration. Started: 2018. In progress. (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Grant, Biology, Concordia University)
  10. Stämpfli, N., PhD. Hydrogeomorphological approaches for agricultural stream restoration. Started: 2019. In progress
  11. Duguay, J., post-doctoral fellow. Turbulent flow structures at river confluences. Started: 2020. Completed 2022.
  12. Couture, T., MSc Fish biodiversity and morphological quality in small agricultural streams of Montérégie, Québec. Started: 2020. Completed 2023
  13. Dickson, E., MSc Characterization and prediction of fluvial bank retreat using novel physical experiments. Started: 2021. Completed 2023 (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Lacey, Dépt génie civil, Université de Sherbrooke)
  14. Gava, M., MSc Application of machine learning methodology to detect the potential for fluvial hazards to occur along river networks. Started: 2021. Completed 2023 (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  15. Bile, V., MSc Évaluation du risque lié aux aléashydrogéomorphologiques des petits cours d’eau dans le Bas-Saint-Laurent. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  16. Robert, A., MSc Impact de l’utilisation du territoire surl’ichtyofaune des rivières des Basses-Terres du St-Laurent. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. V. Fugère, Dépt des sciences de l'environnement, UQTR)
  17. Mzoughi, A., PhD Hydraulic modelling – calibration potential with SWOT. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. M. Trudel, dépt génie civil, U. Sherbrooke)
  18. Hosny, A., PhD Impact of small density differences on hydrodynamics of confluences. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Lacey, U. Sherbrooke)
  19. Byrd, B., MSc Process-based restoration within the freedom space. Started: 2023. In progress

Selected publications

Refereed contributions (last 5 years)


  1. Duguay, J., Biron, P.M., Lacey, J. (in press) Density effects on streamwise-oriented vorticity at river confluences: a laboratory investigation. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. Accepted July 31, 2023.
  2. Gariépy-Girouard, E., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Savard, M., Biron, P.M. (2023) Histoire et perspectives d'avenir du canal Saint-Georges (Port-Menier, île d'Anticosti) : la valorisation du patrimoine culturel par l'aménagement fluvial. Le Naturaliste canadien, 147, 1, 114-125.
  3. Botrel, M., Hudon, C., Biron, P.M., Maranger, R. (2023) Combining quadrat, rake and echosounding to estimate submerged aquatic vegetation biomass at the ecosystem scale. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 21, 192-208.
  4. Duguay, J., Biron, P.M., Lacey, J.R.W. (2022) Impact of density gradients on secondary flow structure at river confluences. Water Resources Research. 58, e2022WR032720, 1-17.
  5. Botrel, M., Hudon, C., Heffernan, J.B., Biron, P.M., Maranger, R. (2022) Climate-driven variations in nitrogen retention from a riverine submerged aquatic vegetation meadow. Water Resources Research, 58, e2022WR032678, 1-21.
  6. Duguay, J., Biron, P.M., Lacey, J.R.W. (2022) Aerial observations and numerical simulations confirm density-driven streamwise vortices at river confluences. Water Resources Research, 58, e2021WR031527, 1-19.
  7. Marchand, J.-P., Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Larocque, M. (2022) High-resolution spatiotemporal analysis of hydrologic connectivity in the historical floodplain of straightened lowland agricultural streams. River Research and Applications, 38, 1061-1079.  
  8. Larocque, M., Biron, P.M. (2022) Le rôle des milieux humides et hydriques dans la résilience des écosystèmes fluviaux. In: Une Économie Écologique pour le Québec: Comment opérationnaliser une nécessaire transition, Zaga Mendez, A., Bisonnette, J., Dupras, J. (Eds), Les Presses de l'Université du Québec, 219-236.
  9. Duguay, J., Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T. (2022) Large-scale turbulent mixing at amesoscale confluence assessed through drone imagery and eddy-resolved modelling. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 47, 345-363.
  10. Massé, S., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Biron, P.M., Ruiz, J. (2022) Les inondations au Québec: Risques, aménagement du territoire, impacts socioéconomiques et transformation des vulnérabilités, Buffin-Bélanger, T., Maltais, D., Gauthier, M. (Eds), Presses de l’Université du Québec, 203-224.
  11. Thomas, I., Gagnon, A., Biron, P.M., Gauthier, M., Bonneville, M.-C., Morin, S. (2022) Réaménagement résilient et innovant face aux inondations. In : Les inondations au Québec: Risques, aménagement du territoire, impacts socioéconomiques et transformation des vulnérabilités, Buffin-Bélanger, T., Maltais, D., Gauthier, M. (Eds), Presses de l’Université du Québec, 271-288.
  12. Gauthier, M., Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T. (2022) Aménagement du territoire et gestion des zones inondables. In : Les inondations au Québec: Risques, aménagement du territoire, impacts socioéconomiques et transformation des vulnérabilités, Buffin-Bélanger, T., Maltais, D., Gauthier, M. (Eds), Presses de l’Université du Québec, 153-180.
  13. Lemay, J., Biron, P.M., Boivin, M., Stämpfli, N., Foote, K. (2021) Can the Morphological Quality Index (MQI) be used to determine the ecological status of lowland rivers? Geomorphology, 395, 108002, 1-13.  
  14. Bessar, M.A., Choné, G., Lavoie, A., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Biron, P.M., Matte, P., Anctil, F. (2021) Comparative analysis of local and large-scale approaches to floodplain mapping. A case study of the Chaudière River. Canadian Water Resources Journal, 46, 4, 194-206.
  15. Choné, G., Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Mazgareanu, I., Neal, J.C., Sampson, C.C. (2021) An assessment of large-scale flood modelling based on LiDAR data. Hydrological Processes, 35, e14333, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14333
  16. Foote, K., Biron, P.M., Grant, J.W.A. (2020) Impact of in-stream restoration structures on salmonid abundance and biomass: an updated meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 77, 1574-1591.
  17. Mazgareanu, I, Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T (2020) A fuzzy GIS model to determine confluence morphological sensitivity to tributary inputs at the watershed scale. Geomorphology, 357, 107095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107095
  18. Massé, S, Demers, S, Buffin-Bélanger, T, Biron, P.M., Choné, G, Massey W. (2020) Development of a mapping approach encompassing most fluvial processes: Lessons learned from the freedom space for rivers concept in Quebec (Canada). River Research and Applications, 36, 947-959.
  19. Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Martel, N. (2019) Three-dimensional turbulent structures at a medium-sized confluence with and without an ice cover Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44, 3042-3056.
  20. Bulat, M., Biron, P.M., Lacey, R.W.J., Botrel, M., Hudon, C., Maranger, R. (2019) A 3D numerical model investigation of the impact of submerged macrophytes on flow dynamics in a large fluvial lake. Freshwater Biology, 64,1627-1642.
  21. Poulin, M, Evette, A, Tisserant, M, Keita, N, Breton, V, Biron, P., Raymond, P., Charbonneau, G., Falardeau, I. (2019) Le génie végétal pour la protection des berges de cours d'eau au Québec: état des lieux et perspectives pour les Basses-terres du Saint-Laurent. Sciences Eaux & Territoires. Article hors-série No 57, 7 p. (http://www.set-revue.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/set-revue-genie-vegetal-berges-quebec-.pdf)
  22. Hurson, M, Biron, P.M. (2019) Quantifying hydrodynamic changes associated with bioengineered stabilization measures using numerical modelling. Ecological Engineering. 136, 118-124.
  23. Baril, A.-M, Biron, P.M., Grant, J.W.A. (2019) An assessment of an unsuccessful restoration project for lake sturgeon using 3D numerical modelling. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 39(1), 69-81.
  24. Massé, S., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Biron, P.M., Ruiz, J. (2018) La portée et les limites des approches perspectives pour la gestion intégrée des inondations. Revue des Sciences de l'Eau, 31, 4, 341-362.
  25. Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Martel, N. (2018) Mixing processes at an ice-covered river confluence. River Flow 2018, International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, Lyon, France, https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20184005037.
  26. Choné, G., Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T. (2018) Flood hazard mapping techniques with LiDAR in the absence of bathymetry data. River Flow 2018, International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, Lyon, France, https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20184006005.
  27. Biron, P.M., Buffin-Bélanger, T., Massé, S. (2018) The need for river management and stream restoration practices to integrate hydrogeomorphology. The Canadian Geographer, 62, 2, 288-295.
  28. Baril, A.-M., Buszkiewicz, J.T., Biron, P.M., Phelps, Q.E. and Grant, J.W.A. (2018) Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawning habitat: A quantitative review. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 75, 925-933.
  29. Rousseau, Y.Y., Biron, P.M., Van de Wiel, M.J. (2018) Comparing the sensitivity of bank retreat to changes in biophysical conditions between two contrasting river reaches using a coupled morphodynamic model. Water, 10, 4, 518.
  30. Rousseau, Y.Y., Van De Wiel, M., Biron, P.M. (2017) Simulating bank erosion over an extended natural sinuous river reach using a universal slope stability algorithm coupled with a morphodynamic model. Geomorphology. 295, 690-704.
  31. Massey, W., Biron, P.M., Choné, G. (2017) Impacts of river bank stabilization using riprap on fish habitat in two contrasting environments. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 42, 635-646.
  32. Paradis, A., Biron, P.M. (2017) Integrating hydrogeomorphological concepts in management approaches of lowland agricultural streams: Perspectives, problems and prospects based on case studies in Quebec. Canadian Water Resources Journal, 42, 1, 54-69.

Non-refereed reports and papers

Biron, P.M., Thomas, I. (2019) Mieux vivre avec l'eau, pour être plus résilient face aux inondations. La Conversation, August, http://theconversation.com/mieux-vivre-avec-leau-pour-etre-plus-resilient-face-aux-inondations-122250  

Biron, P.M. (2019) Qui est en charge de la gestion des inondations au Québec? Options Politiques, August, https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/aout-2019/qui-est-en-charge-de-la-gestion-des-inondations-au-quebec/

Biron,P.M. (2017) La restauration de l’habitat du poisson en rivière : une recension des écrits. Rapport scientifique présenté à la Fondation de la Faune du Québec, 70 pp.

Teaching activities

GEOG 375 Hydrology
GEOG 377 Landform Evolution
GEOG 463 Advanced GIS
HENV 655 Environmental Modelling

Graduate Student Supervision (last 5 years)


  1. Rousseau, Y., Ph.D. A novel, generic approach to simulate bank retreat in alluvial river channels. Started: 2010. Completed 2018 (Co-supervisor: Dr. M. Van De Wiel)
  2. Martel, N., M.Sc. Effet de la morphologie du chenal et de la structure de l’écoulement sur la mise en place et l’évolution d’un couvert de glace à une confluence. Started 2014. Completed 2018 (Co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  3. Massé, S., Ph.D. Le rôle de l'intégration des connaissances scientifiques dans la prise de décision quant à la gestion des cours par l’approche d’espace de liberté. Started 2014. In progress (Co-supervisors: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR and Dr. J. Ruiz, Sciences de l'environnement, UQTR)
  4. Botrel, M., Ph.D. Rôle de la dynamique des courants dans la capacité de rétention et de transformation du phosphore et de l'azote dans les herbiers aquatiques. (co-supervisors: Dr. R. Maranger, Dept de biologie, Université de Montréal and Dr. C. Hudon, Environment Canada). Started 2015. Completed 2022.
  5. Bulat, M., M.Sc, Three-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling of the impact of macrophytes in Lake St-Pierre. Started 2016. Completed 2018. (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Lacey, Université de Sherbrooke)
  6. Marchand, J.-P., Ph.D. Restoration of riparian wetlands in highly degraded agricultural environments. Started: 2017. In progress. (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie UQAR)
  7. Hugue, F. Post-doctoral fellow. Development of semi-automated tool to determine freedom space of rivers. Started: 2017. Completed 2018.
  8. Mazgareanu, I., M.Sc. Impact of tributaries on channel mobility downstream of confluences. Started: 2017. Completed 2019. (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  9. Foote, K., Ph.D. Hydrogeomorphology and fish habitat restoration. Started: 2018. In progress. (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Grant, Biology, Concordia University)
  10. Stämpfli, N., PhD. Hydrogeomorphological approaches for agricultural stream restoration. Started: 2019. In progress
  11. Duguay, J., post-doctoral fellow. Turbulent flow structures at river confluences. Started: 2020. Completed 2022.
  12. Couture, T., MSc Fish biodiversity and morphological quality in small agricultural streams of Montérégie, Québec. Started: 2020. Completed 2023
  13. Dickson, E., MSc Characterization and prediction of fluvial bank retreat using novel physical experiments. Started: 2021. Completed 2023 (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Lacey, Dépt génie civil, Université de Sherbrooke)
  14. Gava, M., MSc Application of machine learning methodology to detect the potential for fluvial hazards to occur along river networks. Started: 2021. Completed 2023 (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  15. Bile, V., MSc Évaluation du risque lié aux aléashydrogéomorphologiques des petits cours d’eau dans le Bas-Saint-Laurent. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. T. Buffin-Bélanger, Dept de biologie, chimie et géographie, UQAR)
  16. Robert, A., MSc Impact de l’utilisation du territoire surl’ichtyofaune des rivières des Basses-Terres du St-Laurent. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. V. Fugère, Dépt des sciences de l'environnement, UQTR)
  17. Mzoughi, A., PhD Hydraulic modelling – calibration potential with SWOT. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. M. Trudel, dépt génie civil, U. Sherbrooke)
  18. Hosny, A., PhD Impact of small density differences on hydrodynamics of confluences. Started: 2022. In progress (co-supervisor: Dr. J. Lacey, U. Sherbrooke)
  19. Byrd, B., MSc Process-based restoration within the freedom space. Started: 2023. In progress

 
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