Congratulations to Maimoona Birjees, recipient of two prestigious doctoral fellowships!
She is the recipient of:
- The Doctoral Research Fellowship (B2) from the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature and Technologies, valued at $100,000 over four years, for her project entitled: « Understanding the decline of white spruce in Eastern boreal forests: factors influencing chlorosis and implications for sustainable forest management. »
This project addresses a crucial perspective for understanding forest dynamics and the impacts of environmental change on boreal ecosystems. - The Doctoral Research Fellowship for International Students (PBEEE – V1), valued at $41,667 over two years, awarded for her work entitled: «White spruce chlorosis in Quebec’s boreal forests: understanding causes and mechanisms. »
The PBEEE program, funded by the Québec Ministry of Higher Education, aims to support high-caliber international researchers who contribute to the advancement of knowledge in Québec.
Maimoona Birjees’ academic path is distinguished by remarkable scientific rigor. Her research, at the intersection of forest ecology and sustainable management, makes a significant contribution to understanding forest dynamics and the effects of environmental change on boreal ecosystems. She conducts her work under the supervision of Professor Evelyne Thiffault (Université Laval) and research scientist Nelson Thiffault (Natural Resources Canada)
« Beyond her academic work, Maimoona is recognized for her leadership and her commitment to using knowledge to address real-world challenges. She has also published her master’s research in reputable scientific journals, reflecting both the quality of her work and her dedication to advancing research. As the first woman from her family and her village in northern Pakistan (Chitral) to pursue higher education, her journey represents an important milestone and continues to inspire those around her».
We extend our warmest congratulations to her on this double distinction and wish her every success in the pursuit of her promising research.
We also sincerely thank the Fonds de recherche du Québec and the Ministry of Higher Education for their essential support in training the next generation of researchers and advancing knowledge.
Research Project Summary
White spruce (Picea glauca) is one of the most widely planted species in Quebec’s boreal forests. It is valued for its adaptability, wood quality, and central role in reforestation programs. However, in recent years, several plantations have shown alarming signs of decline. An increasing number of trees exhibit symptoms of chlorosis, characterized by the yellowing of needles, which often indicates stress or poor health. If this trend continues, it could reduce forest productivity, weaken carbon sequestration capacity, and disrupt the biodiversity of boreal ecosystems.
This project focuses on white spruce plantations in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, including the Montmorency Forest (Université Laval’s research and teaching forest). The objective is to improve understanding of the causes of this decline and to propose solutions to maintain healthier and more resilient forests.
The research combines multiple approaches, including the analysis of long-term growth data, the mapping of chlorosis in reforested sites, and the study of the influence of soils, climate, nutrition, and silvicultural practices on tree health. By linking tree-level observations with local and regional conditions, the project will identify the main factors contributing to the decline.
The results will directly support sustainable forest management by enabling better-informed decisions regarding reforestation practices. In the long term, this knowledge will help ensure that forests planted today remain strong, productive, and resilient for future generations.