Geology Description of Protected Area Paper

Boston University Geology Description of Protected Area Paper

Module # 6 Mapping Activity: Explore Biogeography of Nova Scotia

**Note all websites in this lab are best viewed in Chrome or Firefox

Part 1

An Ecological Land Classification (ELC) is a mapping tool that identifies and describes areas of similar enduring physical attributes. It is based on features such as climate, elevation, topography, bedrock formation, and vegetation. Within the classification information is presented and mapped within a hierarchy where broad to specific levels of detail are presented on a series of scale dependant maps. This framework enables resource managers and scientists to work with the diverse factors each ecosystem presents. The broadest scale division of ecosystem geography recognized in the ELC is the ecozone which is further subdivided into finer scaled ecoregions, ecodistricts, ecosections and ecosites. For this activity, I would like to explore ecoregions and ecodistricts. Ecoregions – the second level in the ELC used to characterize a distinctive regional climate as expressed by vegetation. There are nine ecoregions in Nova Scotia Ecodistricts – a subdivision of ecoregion and third level of the ELC. It is based on district assemblages of relief, geology, and landform.

 Reference material

ELC book; https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestry/ecological/pdf/Ecological-Land-Classification-guide.pdf Using the Mapping resource to answer the following questions; https://nsgi.novascotia.ca/plv/ Under the layer list button on the left side, click Operational layers Forestry ,then Ecological Land Classification, then Ecoregion and Ecodistrict. Turn off all other layers.

1. What Ecodistrict and ecoregion is SMU (pan map to Halifax) in?

2. What Ecoregion has the warmest beaches in the Province? (Tatamagouche area) Turn off ecoregions and ecodistricts to see base map to find town of Tatamagouche, (hint go towards PEI)

3. List another level of the ELC you can find on the map.

 Part 2 Old-Growth Forests

Old-Growth Forest story map, visit the following story map (note created by a student who did an intern/co-op with me)

Old Growth Forests of Nova Scotia (arcgis.com) https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f26ab43844741209024f65a346992ea Review the website.

1. List six old-growth tree species

2. List one place you can go to see Old-Growth Forest in Nova Scotia

3. How does the Nova Scotia try to conserve Old-Growth Forests ?

Part 3 Old-Growth Forest research in Nova Scotia

The oldest tree in Nova Scotia (found by SMU Alumni) Review the following story Old Growth Forest CBC article link 532-year-old N.S. hemlock claims record for oldest tree in the Maritimes | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/old-growth-forest-natural-resourcesdepartment-research-old-tree-1.6255685?msclkid=2f6c38c5aa3111ecb2c7cd36ee3db71e

1. What is the oldest tree in Nova Scotia? List species and age?

2. Was the tree alive when Columbus discovered America?