ÃŽle-Garth Ecological Reserve

IUCN Category Ia - Strict Nature Reserve

Aerial view of Garth Island ( right)

The Réserve écologique de l' Île- Garth is an ecological reserve in the south of the Canadian province of Quebec in the MRC Thérèse - De Blainville.

The reserve was established in 2003 on an area of ​​17.23 ha. It is an island in the Rivière des Mille Îles, which is located on the territory of the municipality Bois -des- Filion, 2 km downstream of Rosemère, and of the almost 90% risk of flooding.

The surface of the island consists mainly of limestone and dolomite. Above these sediments, which has deposited the river.

On the island thrive Silver Maple and Shagbark Hickory ( Carya ovata ), a tree species from the genus Hickory ( Carya ), which belongs to the family of the walnut family. Then there is the Western Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis). These trees have become rare in Québec. As endangered or threatened are on Celtis occidentalis, the species Black Sugar maple ( Acer nigrum) and American bladdernut ( Staphylea trifolia ) of the genus Pimpernüsse ( Staphylea ). Finally, on the island grow red oak (Quercus rubra), the Bur oak ( Quercus macrocarpa ) and the Weymouth pine (Pinus strobus ). On a deeper location in the center of the island, where the water flows worse, are American elm (Ulmus americana) and red ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica ). At the western tip of the island, at the same time the highest point, standing Weymouth pines. In the northeast are the pioneer plants of paper birch and red maple, strongly shaded squares butternut and Shagbark Hickory.

Flora and fauna on the island are largely free of human interference. 2004, the insects of the island were first studied, especially butterflies and beetles. Also in 1985 spotted at the nearby mouth of the Aux Chiens creek and later at other locations Map Map turtles.