page_title: Exceptional forest ecosystems of Quebec
section_title: Types of exceptional forest ecosystem
hierarchical_section_title: Exceptional forest ecosystems of Quebec / Types of exceptional forest ecosystem
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Pinède de la montagne du Fourneau dans le Parc national du lac Témiscouata
context_page_description: The exceptional forest ecosystems of Quebec are stands of trees of outstanding interest for biodiversity that should be preserved for future generations. They are protected by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife of Quebec
context_section_description: The Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife groups exceptional forest ecosystems into three categories: old-growth forests, refuge forests and rare forest ecosystems.
  As of 2001 more than 600 EFE sites had been identified south of the 52nd parallel, covering almost 350 square kilometres (140 sq mi).
  Old growth forests have not experienced any major anthropogenic disturbance. 
  The dominant trees in the canopy have reached a very advanced stage of maturity, which is unusual in southern Quebec.
  The forests hold a mixture of young, mature and senescent trees, and debris on the forest floor includes the decaying remains of large trees.
  These forests are examples of natural forest ecosystems, and contain exceptional and sometimes unique flora.
  The study of the natural dynamics of these forests can help improve forestry practices that rely on natural development of stands of trees.
  Refuge forests are home to significant numbers of plant species that are or may be designated as threatened or vulnerable, including a species of extreme rarity (e.g. known to be found in less than five places in Quebec) or a forest with a remarkable population of threatened or vulnerable species.
  Candidates for refuge forest status are assessed through a detailed review of information held by the Quebec Ministry of the Environment  on the location of species, importance of populations, nature of their habitats and their provincial priority rank on the ministry's official list of species.
  This type of ecosystem is found mainly in southern Quebec. 
  Threatened or vulnerable species are mainly at risk from habitat loss.
  Preservation of the refuge forests is essential to their survival, and to preserving biodiversity.
  The Nature Conservancy (1988) suggests a forest may be considered rare based on two different viewpoints.
  One is that it has an unusual composition of species or structure of forest cover, which may be threatened by human activities.
  An example could be mixed northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Quercus alba).
  There are only a few small forests of this type recognized in Quebec.
  The other type of rare forest is composed of flora that would not normally be found in its bioclimatic subdomain. 
  These are mainly isolated ecosystems in an unusual subdomain in the north.
caption: Forêt rare de la Montagne-à-Fourneau
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