Claude-Mélançon Ecological Reserve

IUCN Category Ia - Strict Nature Reserve

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The Réserve écologique - Claude Melancon is a decorated in 1988, 534.59 hectares of protected area in the south of the Canadian province of Quebec.

The reserve represents the northern Appalachians and the Mégantic - hills. The nearest major town is Lévis, the capital of the administrative region of Chaudière - Appalaches.

The reserve is located 450-950 m above sea level. The highest point is the Saint- Magloire Mountain. The rocky subsoil of the area which is in the northern end of the Appalachian Mountains, holds mainly shale and limestone and glacial deposits.

The vegetation varies mainly with the height above sea level. In low-lying areas accordingly prevail yellow birch before, in the higher elevations rather paper birches, above many wood sorrel ( Oxalis montana).

So great is the diversity of plant, so great is also that of animals. In mammals, there are moose, white-tailed deer, beaver, fox, coyote, rabbit, Canadian lynx, black bear, pine marten, ermine, American River Otter, American Mink, various tree squirrels, voles and shrews to.

25 Alone bird species breed in the area, many other species are here temporarily stay.

The name of the protected area is reminiscent of the naturalist Claude Melancon (1895-1973), who worked with various organizations, including the Société d' histoire naturelle Provancher du Canada and the Société zoologique de Québec. Especially in the field of plant protection, his main focus, he campaigned for the preservation of the habitats in the province.