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Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora
Scotian South Shore Natural Area, Nova Scotia
Pearl Lake; photo by Mike Dembeck
Stretching between Yarmouth and Mahone Bay, Nova
Scotia’s Atlantic Coastal Plain is an important ecosystem
of bays, estuaries, islands and peninsulas. The diversity of
native flora and fauna reflects the richness of the salt
marshes, beaches, rivers, lakes and bogs. Some of the
world’s largest and least disturbed populations of rare
Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora are found in southern
Nova Scotia, where they are at the limit of their northern
range. The Atlantic Coastal Plain is home to a large
number of rare plant species not found elsewhere in
Canada.
Ecological Significance
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) recently completed a five-year scientific
assessment of the Northern Appalachian-Acadian Ecoregion, which identified the
Scotian South Shore Natural Area as one of the five best sites for habitat conservation
anywhere in Nova Scotia. The Scotian South Shore Natural Area encompasses the
entire South Shore, with its irregular coastline offering a wide variety of habitat types,
which in turn promotes species biodiversity.
Formed at the end of the last glacial period (10,000 to 14,000 years ago), the Atlantic
Coastal Plain extends from southwestern Nova Scotia, around the Great Lakes and
down the coastline of the United States.
Prior to the glaciers melting and sea levels
rising, a land bridge existed between Nova
Scotia and Massachusetts that allowed for
the migration of plants northward into the
south-western corner of the Province. With
glacial melt, the land bridge became
submerged and Nova Scotia separated
from New England. This resulted in
isolated or disjunct populations of plants
that are referred to as Atlantic Coastal Plain
Flora (ACPF).
Rose Coreopsis; photo by Mark Elderkin
The ACPF are a group of 90 species of taxonomically unrelated wetland species that
inhabit lake and river shores, bogs, fens and estuaries. Within Nova Scotia the ACPF
are restricted to the southwestern regions of the province with one exception in Cape
Breton. Eleven species of ACPF are listed as COSEWIC Species at Risk and include
such plants as Rose Coreopsis, Carolina Redroot and Long-tubercled Spikerush.
The Properties
The almost 3,670 acres (1,485 hectares) which consists of five properties are
considered high priority habitat for Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora by the Colin Stewart
Forest Forum, and the NS Departments of Environment and Natural Resources.
The properties' forestlands are comprised of mixed upland forests of Red Maple and
Eastern Hemlock, and Black Spruce dominated wetlands. These large tracts of
forestlands are also representative habitat for terrestrial mammals such as American
Black Bear and Bobcat.
The land base is comprised of over 482,304 square meters (119 acres) of riparian
habitat that is restricted to the shorelines of lakes and the meandering Tusket River.
The riparian areas have remained intact as critical habitat for ACPF, including the
Plymouth Gentian and Long's Bulrush, both COSEWIC listed species.
To make a donation please contact:
The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Atlantic Region
101 Research Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4T6
Telephone: 902-480-3609 Fax: 902-480-3199
E-mail: [email protected]
www.natureconservancy.ca/at