Nature

The unique climate of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Region assists in providing a home to an extremely diverse collection of species. The most amphibians and reptiles east of Ontario can be found in the Biosphere Region. The biosphere Region is a hotspot for biodiversity and is home to 75% of Nova Scotia’s species at risk. It encompasses many terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems including the Acadian Forest, rolling plains, drumlins and coastal cliffs. The core of the biosphere Region is the largest protected wilderness area in the Maritimes. The surrounding counties are touched by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Fundy which add to the distinct natural landscape.

Species at Risk in Southwest Nova Scotia:

For the province of Nova Scotia, there are over 5 dozen species at risk. In southwest Nova Scotia, there are approximately 34 species at risk. They include:

Mammals:

  • American Marten
  • Eastern Moose

Birds:

  • Piping Plover
  • Red Knot
  • Roseate Tern
  • Chimney Swift
  • Common Nighthawk
  • Olive-sided Flycatcher
  • Barrow’s Goldeneye
  • Harlequin Duck
  • Ipswich Sparrow
  • Rusty Blackbird
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Short-eared Owl

Reptiles:

  • Blanding’s Turtle
  • Eastern Ribbonsnake
  • Wood Turtle

Insects:

  • Monarch Butterfly

Lichens:

  • Boreal Felt Lichen
  • Ghost Antler Lichen

Plants:

  • Eastern Mountain Avens
  • Rockrose
  • Eastern White Cedar
  • Prototype Quillwort
  • Pink Coreopsis
  • Thread-leaved Sundew
  • Water-pennywort
  • Plymouth Gentian
  • Golden Crest
  • Redroot
  • Tubercled Spike-rush
  • Eastern Lilaeopsis
  • Long’s Bulrush
  • Sweet Pepperbush

To view the full Species at Risk in Nova Scotia, the Provincial Government’s page: Species At Risk – Recovery Update

For a list of species at risk in Atlantic Canada, see: Species At Risk In Atlantic Canada