The Meridian Road (Vanderhoof) Ecological Reserve is located 40 km south of Vanderhoof.
The ecological reserve is 262 ha in size, and preserves a sample of mature Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir forest representative of uplands within the Nechako Plateau. Meridian Road marks the northeast boundary of the ecological reserve.

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The ecological reserve has little relief, but is located at the eastern edge of the Nulki Hills, a rolling upland within the Nechako Plateau. Meandering streams flow across the ecological reserve in shallow valleys.

This ecological reserve is almost entirely covered with dense stands of mature conifers. Boggy sites, mostly in the northern corner, comprise less than 5% of its total area. The forest communities are characteristic of lower elevations in the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir Zone, near its contact with the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone.

Primary Role

The primary role of Meridian Road (Vanderhoof) Ecological Reserve is to preserve a sample of mature Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir forest representative of uplands within the Nechako Plateau.

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CONSERVATION

Contributes minimally to the representation of the Nazko Upland Ecosection; 10.91% of this ecosection is protected; Meridian Road Ecological Reserve contributes only 0.12% of the overall protected areas system representation of the ecosection

Contributes minimally to the representation of SBS mc2; 13.13% of this variant is protected; Meridian Road Ecological Reserve contributes only 0.09% of the overall protected areas system representation of the variant.

SPECIAL FEATURE: : Mature upland ESSF forest

RECREATION

Nature appreciation opportunities

Forest ecology

CULTURAL HERITAGE

unknown

OTHER MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Relationship to Other PAs Very minor contribution towards representation of ecosection and biogeoclimatic zones.

Co-operative Management Arrangements

Partnerships Ecological Reserve Warden (Ivan Cartwright appointed July 1991)

Vulnerability The Conservation Risk Assessment Process identified 2 risk factors (the shape, and the size of the park) for theecological reserve and rated them as moderately significant. Two stressors/threats were identified for the ecological reserve : Forest Harvesting Activity and Fire suppression which were both rated as moderately significant.

Area: 262hectares
Date of establishment: December 15, 1977