André-Michaux Ecological Reserve
André-Michaux Ecological Reserve (Réserve écologique André-Michaux) is a protected area in Quebec, Canada. It is a strict nature reserve (IUCN category Ia) covering about 450 hectares (1,100 acres). The reserve sits along the Gatineau River, a short distance south of Île du Plomb and east of Martindale, about 6 kilometers northeast of Low in La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality. It was established on May 12, 1993.
The site represents the Canadian Shield and features elevations from about 140 to 424 meters (average around 336 meters). Rocks include paragneiss, amphibolites, and granites, with surface deposits mainly tills. Soils are varied, including Dystric Brunisols, Humic podzols, and lithosols on rocky ridges.
The reserve protects typical ecosystems of the Lower Gatineau region, especially stands of maple-basswood and maple-yellow birch. Vegetation varies by slope and moisture: upper, dry slopes host white pine and red pine, with red oak in the driest areas; poorly drained flat areas have fir, white spruce, sphagnum, and black ash or grey alder. Along lake edges there are grasses and swamp shrubs. In moderately drained areas there are maple-basswood groves, with drier pockets of red oak, bur oak, maple-yellow birch, and hemlock. The showy orchid Galearis spectabilis may also be found there.
Fauna in the reserve includes white-tailed deer, beaver, heron, ruffed grouse, and black duck.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:06 (CET).