LE3 .A278 2020

2020

Duke, David

Acadia University

Bachelor or Science

Honours

Environmental Science

Earth & Environmental Sciences

An old growth forest is one of many stages of forest development and plays an important role in maintaining global biodiversity and the hydrologic and carbon cycles. Prior to European colonization, old growth likely covered up to 50% of forest land in Nova Scotia. However, today it is estimated less than 0.9 percent of forest land outside of ecological preserves is old growth, and likely even less is found in the Annapolis Valley region due to its long history of agriculture, fire and development. This research sought to locate any remaining old growth stands in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia and to assess their ecological integrity using the NS Old Forest Policy Scoresheet. GIS querying and satellite imagery analyses found 16851 ha of the study area had a high potential to contain old growth. Of this area, 27% was found to be old growth forest. The following literature review examined the history of forestry practices in Nova Scotia and discusses the ways a forest can be valued either economically or ecologically. Values placed on forests can subsequently influence the preservation or destruction of old growth forest characteristics. Due to their important ecological roles, old growth forests are of high conservation value and the sites found in this research should guide future conservation efforts by providing high priority areas for protection.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3436