Introduction

Miguasha Provincial Park (48° 06'N, 66° 22'W) is a World Heritage Site in Québec, Canada.

Geographical location

Located in the Gaspé peninsula, regional municipality of Avignon, southeast in the province of Quebec. The park is located on the north shore of Ristigouche river. To the south and across Chaleurs Bay is the town of Dalhousie, New Brunswick, while to the north are several ranges of the Appalachian mountains. 48° 06'N, 66° 22'W.

Date and history of establishment

Mineral-filled fractures at the Gaspe Peninsula. (Source: University of Georgia)

Established as a Provincial Park by Decree 146-85 of 1985 of the Parks Law, and Ministerial Decree 90-023 of Mining Law. Other common names by which the site is known are Miguasha Fossil Site, Bay of Escuminac Fossil Site, and Hugh-Miller Cliffs. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The fossil site at Miguasha was first discovered in 1842 by the geologist Abraham Gesner. Work in the 1880s allowed for scientific descriptions of the specimens at Miguasha, and between 1888 and 1892, important collections were moved to the British Museum, London and the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. Therein followed a period of considerable interest by foreign scientists and collectors, with many important collections finding there way into renowned museums and research institutes throughout the world. Following a rumor at the beginning of the 1970s that some Americans wanted to purchase the fossil site, the Quebec government purchased a strip of land along the cliffs containing an important portion of the Escuminac Formation. In recognition of the geological and paleontological value of the site, it was subsequently declared a provincial park in 1985.

Area

The Park covers 87,3 hectares (ha) and is surrounded by a peripheral protected area of 775 ha.

Land tenure

The Park is public property under the jurisdiction of the Government of Quebec. The Ministry of Environment and Fauna is responsible for management of the site. The peripheral zone is a private area including the "Seigneurie Shoolbred" belonging to 100 persons.

Altitude

The Park has an average of 40 meters (m) of altitude, ranging from sea level to 20 m in the south and 220 m in the north.

Physical features

The Park essentially comprises a coastal cliff within the Escuminac Formation. This Formation extends for a distance of 8 kilometers (km) along the north shore of the Ristigouche River and 1km width. The Formation has a maximal height of 100 m, an underground component extending from 300 to 600 meters below the surface, and is represented by four distinct outcrops. The most important of these extends for a distance of 3 km, rises 30 m in height, and basically constitutes the park. The principal Formation is orientated in an east-west direction, and comprises both a long anticlinal and synclinal, the latter elevated over some degrees. Constituted essentially of grey rock sediments, the Escuminac Formation (dating from 350-375 million years ago) is composed of alternating layers of thick sandstone, silt, and calcareous schists. The Fleurant Formation is found at the base of the Formation, while the summit is lined by the carboniferous Bonaventure Formation, whose reddish color is the origin of the word 'Miguasha' in the language of the Micmacs.

Climate

The climate varies with altitude and the distance to the coast. No detailed information available.

Fauna and flora

Fossil of the Eusthenopteron, nicknamed “Prince of Miguasha.” (Source: Government of Quebec)

The site is occupied by a mixture of cultivated crops and some boreal tree species (fir and birch forest). The flora and fauna fossils of Miguasha are particularly important in representing ichthyological fauna (fish) of the Devonian period. Of the eight groups attached to this period, also known as the 'Age of the Fishes', six are found at Miguasha, the other two being typically marine; this representation is uncommon among sites of the same age throughout the world. The site is also distinguished by invertebrates, plants and spore fossils (over 70 spore species) which, along with geochemical studies, has allowed a picture of the Devonian ecosystem to be constructed. Furthermore, the site is characterised by the exceptional condition of fossil remains, allowing, for example, study of soft body parts represented in gill imprints, digestive traces, and cartilaginous elements of skeleton. Of particular importance is the presence of the crossopterygian group, typified by Eusthenopteron foordi and Elpistostege watsoni. Nicknamed the 'Prince of Miguasha', the Eusthenopteron, which share many characteristics with the tetrapods, have largely resulted in the focused attention of the international scientific community on the Escuminac Formation. Indeed, it was the discovery and study of Eusthenopteron which notably gave rise to the modern conception of evolution from fish to terrestrial tetrapod vertebrates.

Following taxa present an evolutive and phylogenetic interest: Archaeopteris belongs to Gymnosperma, Spermasposita is considered as the oldest flowering plant, while Petaloscorpio is the first terrestrial scorpion. The macroflora includes 10 species belonging to the first vascular plants of Devonian forests, and the microflora is composed by 80 spore species.

Local human population

There are no local residents living within park boundaries. The headquarters of the Park (administration, library and research facilities) are located in the peripheral zone. There is a total of 120 permanent resident population in the peripheral area.

Visitors and visitor facilities

Within Miguasha is a fully equipped interpretation center, opened in 1978, illustrating plant and animal fossil remains of the area. Fossil specimens and/or reproductions from the site are lent to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions for educational purposes, or in support of specified research endeavors or exhibitions. Materials are also exchanged with museums and scientific institutions which serves to promote the research and value of the park. The number of visitors has increased from 7,236 in 1978 to 36,449 in 1997.

Scientific research and facilities

There are some 5,000 fossil specimens which have been identified, described, stored and computerized. These include vertebrates, non-vertebrates, plants and spores of the Devonian period. Important specimens include Legendrelepis parenti of the agnatha fish group and unique to the Escuminac Formation; Diplocanthus horridus of the acanthodian fish group, and the first jawed fish to evolve; Cheirolepis canadensis of the group actinopterygians, from which 90% of all fish today have derived; Scaumenacia curta, a fossil fish with both lungs and gills, and constituting an important climatic indicator; Miguashaia bureaui, morphologically identical to Latimeria chalumnae, the soul coelacanthi of today; Eusthenopteron foordi of the crossopterygian group, exhibiting several features comparable to the first tetrapods; Petaloscorpio bureaui, a rare aquatic vertebrate of the Escuminac Formation, constituting an important indicator of the paleoenvironment; and Archaeopteris halliana, a plant species and precursor to modern-day gymnosperms. Laboratory facilities are found within the park.

Conservation value

For more than a century, the flora and fauna fossils of Miguasha have been recognised as unique, manifest by the large numbers of scientists and collectors from Europe and America who have visited the Escuminac Formation. The site is particularly important in representing ichthyological fauna (fishes) of the Devonian period.

Other sites which contain fossil deposits from the Devonian period include those found in Scotland (Lethan Bar, Orkneys), Gogo in Australia, Lode in Latvia, Cleveland Shales in the United States, Wildungen in Germany, and Bergisch Gladbach, also in Germany. In Scotland, several deposits are found, first discovered in the 19th century. Based on the comparative study of fifteen fossiliferous sites of the Devonian, Cloutier and Lelièvre (1998) concluded the Escuminac Formation of the fossiliferous site of Miguasha in Quebec, Canada, is, of the sites studied, the site most representative of the Devonian. The fossiliferous site of Miguasha clearly stands out from all the other sites in terms of: evolutionary representativeness, the exceptional quality of fossil preservation and the abundance of vertebrate fossils. They concluded that Miguasha site ranks first for seven of the ten categories: faunal representativeness of the major groups of sarcopterygians (22), representativeness of evolutionary events for vertebrates (24), floral and faunal representativeness of the aquatic and terrestrial components of the assemblages (25), paleobiological representativeness (26), quality of preservation of the vertebrate fossils in terms of anatomical completeness (27), quality of preservation in terms of exceptional character of fossilization (28) and abundance of specimens (29). Miguasha ranks second in its category for biodiversity (19), behind Spitsberg, Bad Wildungen and the Cleveland Shale, and for the faunal representativeness of the major groups of vertebrates (20), behind Spitsberg. Finally, the Miguasha site ranks third for representativeness of the major

Conservation management

There is a Management Plan for the Park. In establishing the park for the purposes of conservation and recreation, all forms of exploitation, modification or occupation which impacts on the natural environment are prohibited. The only forms of excavation permitted are for scientific research and development of the area, while visitor use is restricted to traveling through, observing and appreciating the park.

Park zones delimit areas of utilization and access, and help safeguard the natural environment. The cliff and beach are part of the Preservation Zone, while a more interior, surrounding area, known as the Zone d'Ambiance allows for intensive preservation and moderate utilization. There is also a small Service Zone. In order to provide further protection to the Escuminac Formation, the area in and around the park is protected from mineral research and extraction.

The Escuminac Formation constitutes a natural feature of national interest and unique character. In establishing the park for the purposes of conservation and recreation, all forms of exploitation, modification or occupation which impacts on the natural environment are prohibited. Excavation from the cliffs, gathering of fossils from the beach or removal of specimens from the park is strictly prohibited. The only forms of excavation permitted are for scientific research and development of the area, while visitor use is restricted to traveling through, observing and appreciating the park. Park zones delimit areas of utilization and access, and help safeguard the natural environment. The cliff and beach are part of the Preservation Zone, while a more interior, surrounding area, known as the Zone D'Ambiance allows for intensive preservation and moderate utilization. There is also a small Service Zone. In order to provide further protection to the Escuminac Formation, the area in and around the park is excluded from mineral research and extraction by virtue of Decree 90-023 of 23 January 1990.

Management constraints

According to World Heritage Nomination, no major constraints seem to affect the site, due mainly to the legislation regarding parks and fossil collection in Quebec. There is also an education program for visitors.

Staff

Seven permanent staff completed by a team of students in summer. The protection of the Park is under the responsibility of the Service of Fauna Conservation.

Budget

In 1998, the Park received 255,000 Canadian dollars for land purchase and building a warehouse for stocking specimens. The total annual budget of the Park was 303,900 in 1996-1997, 292,700 in 1997-1998 and 537,5 in 1998-1999.

IUCN management category

• Category: II
• World Heritage Site: Natural criteria (i)

Further reading

There are some 1,500 references dealing with the Escuminac Formation and the fossils of the site. Below is a selection of key titles.

• Belles-Isles, M. 1987. Les Céphalaspides de l'Est du Québec et du Nord du Nouveau-Brunswick (Canada) des Formations d'Escuminac, de Battery Point et de la Garde, Thèse de doctorat de l'Université de Paris 6. Tome 1, 272 p.. (Unseen)
• Bureau, R. 1983a. Le site de Miguasha: aperçu historique. Gaspésie 21(1): 39-45. (Unseen)
• Bureau, R. 1983b. Des chercheurs de fossiles. Gaspésie 21 (4): 12-22. (Unseen)
• Chidiac, Y. 1989. Analyse du paléoenvironnement de la Formation d'Escuminac (Dévonien supérior), Miguasha, Québec, dans le contexte des données sédimentologiques, paleontologiques et géochimiques. Thèse de maîtrise, Université du Québec, Montréal. (Unseen)
• Cloutier, R. and Lelièvre H. (1998). Comparative study of the fossifeliferous sites of the Devonian. Prepared for the Ministère de l'Environnment et de la Faune, Gouvernement du Québec.
• Dineley, D.L. 1967. Ancient fishes of Escuminac Bay. Nat. Hist., 76 (1): 40-45. (Unseen)
• Dineley, D.L. et B.P.F. Williams. 1986b. Sedimentation and paleontology of the Devonian Escuminac Formation and related strata, Escuminac Bay, Quebec. In: Klein, G. de V. (ed). Symposium-Continental sedimentation northeastern North America. Spec. Pap. Geol. Soc. Am., 106: 241-264 (Unseen)
• Gagnier, P.Y. 1989. Analyses anatomiques et phylogénétiques de quelques vertébrés paéozoïques américains. 2. Les poissons acanthodiens de la Formation d'Escuminac, Canada. Thèse de doctorat de Sciences naturelles de l'Université des Sciences de Paris VII. Vol. 1, 275p. (Unseen)
• Hesse, R. et H. Sawh. 1982. Escuminac Formation. Pp. 72-80 in Hesse, R., G.V. Middleton, and B.R. Rust (eds), Paleozoic, Continental Margin Sedimentation in the Quebec Appalachians. 11th Internatl. Congr. Sedimentol. Hamilton, Ontario, Field Excursion, 7B. (Unseen)
• Parent, N. et R. Cloutier. (Sous presse). Distribution and preservation of fossils in the Escuminac Formation. In Schultze, H.-P., R. Cloutier, and D. Vézina (eds), Geology and Paleontology of the Escuminac Formation, Miguasha, Québec, Canada. Mus. Nat. Hist. Univ. Kans. and Parc de Miguasha. (Unseen)
• Schultze, H.-P. 1984. Juvenile specimens of Eusthenopteron foordi Whiteaves, 1881 (osteolepiform rhipidistian, Pisces) from the Late Devonian of Miguasha, Quebec, Canada. J. Vert. Paleontol. 4: 1-16. (Unseen)
• Traquair, R.H. 1890. Notes on the Devonian fishes of Scaumenac Bay and Campbellton in Canada. Geol. Mag., 7: 15-22. (Unseen)
• Vézina, D. 1988. Plourdosteus canadensis (Woodward 1892), un arthrodire du Frasnien inférieur du Canada: Contribution à l'étude morphologique et phylogénétique des Plourdosteidae (Vertebrata, Placodermi) du Dévonien moyen et supérieur. Thèse de doctorat, Université de Paris VII. (Unseen)
• Vézina, D. 1991. Nouvelles observations sur l'environnement sédimentaire de la Formation d'Escuminac (Dévonien supérieur, Frasnuien), Québec, Canada. Can. J. Earth Sci, 28: 225-230. (Unseen)
• Vézina, D. et M. Arsenault (eds). 1991. 7th International Symposium on the Studies of Early Vertebrates. Abstracts. Parc de Miguasha, Québec. (Unseen)
• World Heritage Nomination (1993). Dossier de canditure: Parc de Miguasha, Québec, Canada.Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Québec, Québec, Canada. 10 pp + 11 annexes.
• World Heritage Nomination (1998). Dossier de canditure: Parc de Miguasha, Québec, Canada.Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche, Québec, Québec, Canada. 17 pp + 11 annexes:
• Plan Directeur du Parc de Miguasha 1998,
• Document de Synthèse sur la gestion intégrée de la collection du parc de Miguasha.
• Manuel de formation à l'intérieur du personnel étudiant, 1997,