1.2 Planning Area Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve is located on the west side of Salt Spring Island in the southern Gulf Islands off the east coast of Vancouver Island, about half way between Nanaimo and Victoria. The ecological reserve contains a variety of features including Garry oak meadows, moss covered rocky outcrops and bluffs, species-at-risk,
Madrone Environmental Consultants reported to the Ministry of the Environment: detailed field sampling to support ecosystem mapping and interpretations on Salt Spring Island. Color photos on different ecosystems available. See PDF: madrone_2007_conservation_assessment_mount_taum and_mount_maxwell ers
ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect outstanding Garry oak stands and associated vegetation Physical: The reserve is on the strongly sloping southwest side of Baynes Peak. Surficial materials are colluvium and weathered bedrock derived from sandstone. Soils are thin, poorly developed, and subject to summer drought. Dominant soils are Brunisols, but small areas of Podzols occur. Streams
John Vallentgoed , District FIDS Ranger at the Pacific Forest Centre reports on visits to Mt Maxwell ER primarily concerning the Oak looper infestation. summary_research_reports_1984_1985
Peggy Frank in 1984 studied the area within and surrounding an 18 hectare fernced enclosure. Sampling Design is discussed. See the complete PDF: vegetation_changes_in_a_grazing_enclosure
By Eileen South, Dept of Biology, U Vic, BC Feb 11, 1976 and Catherine Guest See the complete record in PDF file: fauna(8) Photo below : Lynne Milne, Bristol Foster and Hans Roemer at Lasqueti Island
James McBean of U. Vic under the supervision of DR. Richard Ring describes the techniques used and the results of trapping . a detailed species list is included. See complete PDF: insects_of_the_er
Sylvia Handley, Diana Manguy and Dave Clark of U. Vic BIology Dept. Link to PDF: flora
PDF file: Catherine Guest (U Vic) 1974, Vertebrates Saturna Mt Tuam Mt Maxwell Below: one of the vertebrates in the survey, The Northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora aurora) photo by G.Fletcher