Grands-Ormes
Ecological Reserve

(Cadastral map of site also available: 176 K)

View of a plateau of the ecological reserve. Photo: MEF		Grands-Ormes ecological reserve, situated near Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs in the Charlevoix region, occupies part of a hilly region east of the Malbaie River. The topography is marked by a sudden rise in elevation from 200 metres to over 1000 metres over a short distance. Vegetation formations are present which are normally found at more northerly latitudes. For example, the alpine stratum (at the summit) supports high-altitude tundra comprising a number of arctic-alpine plant species. Stunted black spruce (or krummholz) dominate the subalpine stratum.
The reserve also protects a sugar maple stand containing American elm and white ash. This vegetation community is distinct and unusual for the region; some of the elm trees are more than 400 years old and have a remarkable girth.
400-year-old American Elm. Photo: MEF

In addition to these peculiarities, the 705-hectare site is dedicated to protecting ecosystems that are representative of the ecoregions of the Saguenay Lower Laurentians, that is, the balsam fir–yellow birch domain, and ecosystems typifying the Middle Laurentian ecoregions of the Jacques-Cartier River, that is, the balsam fir–white birch domain.