This text is part of the TÉLUQ University special notebook
Founded barely three years ago, the Data Science Laboratory, or DOT-Lab, of TÉLUQ University, as its name suggestsque, works in the field of data mining. What the distinguishes itself, however, is that this laboratory collects itself the majority of the data that it processes and that these relate mainly to forest ecology.
If the DOT-Lab chose this orientation, it is partly because of its current director, Nicolas Bélanger, professor and researcher in environmental sciences at TÉLUQ University. “I’m basically a field scientist,” he explains. I like to go to the forest to collect lots of data on the environmental behavior of the forest. » Data collection is done using various instruments, including aerial images captured by drone — Nicolas Bélanger is a certified drone pilot — sensors on the ground or attached to trees capable of taking various measurements as well as analyzes chemicals.
The collection of data is more than generous. “We have at our disposal nearly 20 million pieces of data, both digital and visual,” he points out. This amount of data forces us to use data science tools to process and analyze it. »
A multidisciplinary team
This is why the DOT-Lab includes members who are not from the environmental sector. This is the case of Wassim Bouachir, professor and researcher in computer science specializing in computer vision and visual data processing, who assumes this responsibility within the DOT-Lab. “His skill in this area is such, specifies Nicolas Bélanger, that he even developed an intelligent video surveillance program capable of detecting suicidal behavior. »
Marc-André Carle is a professor and researcher in information technology specializing in the design and management of sustainable value chains. Some of the models he developed are now in use in companies in the forestry sector. Daniel Lemire is a computer science professor and researcher specializing in indexing and data engineering as well as software performance. Élise Filotas is a professor and researcher in environmental sciences specializing in the study of forest ecosystems. They complete this multidisciplinary team.
Three lines of research
The first axis of research of the DOT-Lab is the effect of climate change on the evolution of the forest. “We have plots of forest that we have been able to electrify so as to be able to increase the temperature of the soil, says Nicolas Bélanger. Using sensors, we are able to observe how the forest reacts to this warming. »
The development of forest management strategies is the second line of research. The third and complementary axis is to provide the forest industry with tools capable of increasing its efficiency. A Dot-Lab project with the paper mill Domtar in intensive forestry is a good example. This project consists of planting fast-growing trees in soil fertilized with factory residues, ie ash and sludge. “We thus obtain the same volume of ligneous matter, but on a smaller surface, specifies Nicolas Bélanger, which makes it possible to protect and preserve more forests. »
A high-impact master’s project
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