Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

You are here: MNAP Home > Ecological Reserve System

Ecological Reserve System

Overview

Ecological Reserves are state-owned lands specifically set aside to protect and monitor the state's natural ecosystems. As of 2009, Maine has designated approximately 84,000 acres of Ecological Reserves on 16 public land units managed by the Maine Department of Conservation. The original designation was enabled by an act of the Maine Legislature in 2000. As specified in the legislation, the purposes of the Reserves are:

  • "to maintain one or more natural community types or native ecosystem types in a natural condition and range of variation and contribute to the protection of Maine's biological diversity,”
  • "as a benchmark against which biological and environmental change may be measured, as a site for ongoing scientific research, long-term environmental monitoring and education," and
  • "to protect sufficient habitat for those species whose habitat needs are unlikely to be met on lands managed for other purposes" (Chapter 592, MSRA Section 13076).

Reserves were designated following a multi-year inventory and assessment project coordinated by the Maine Forest Biodiversity Project, with staff assistance from The Nature Conservancy and the Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP). They range in size from 775 acres at Wassataquoik Stream in T3 R7 WELS to over 11,000 acres at Nahmakanta in Rainbow Twp.

In addition to the ecological reserves on state lands, many other public and private organizations (e.g., The Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service) are managing a subset of lands with similar ecological goals.

Back to top.

Ecoreserve Fact Sheets Available

Also see our Google Earth Map page.

Back to top.

Monitoring

With the guidance of a multi-disciplinary team, the MNAP drafted an Ecological Reserves Monitoring Plan (pdf file-1.53MB) (July 2003) that describes monitoring at the species, natural community (stand), and landscape levels. As of 2009, baseline monitoring had been conducted on all Reserves, resulting in data from over 450 long term monitoring plots. The monitoring effort is subject to funding availability; prior efforts have been supported by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the Bureau of Public Lands (BPL). A 2005 monitoring update (pdf file - 776 KB) includes a comparison of forest structure on Ecological Reserves to (1) forests from the rest of Maine, and (2) known old growth sites. A 2009 monitoring update (pdf file - 399 KB) is also available.

Back to top.

Research Opportunities

One of the key purposes for designation of Ecological Reserves was to serve "as a site for ongoing scientific research, long-term environmental monitoring, and education." In addition to the existing monitoring program, MNAP and BPL strongly encourage use of the Reserves for other applied research on forest structure and dynamics, rare plant species, wildlife, water quality, or other related issues. Contact MNAP for further information.

Back to top.