Mixedwood forests are composed of both hardwood and softwood tree species. There are three common associations of mixedwood forests in Nova Scotia:

1) Spruce, Fir, Pine-Maple, Birch Forest -- an early successional complex found on logged or burned, moist sites. It thrives on disturbance.

2) Spruce, Fir-Maple Forest -- occurs in catchment areas where the water table varies considerably throughout the year. It is an early successional stage, leading eventually to the regional climax forest of the area.

3) White Spruce, Fir-Maple, Birch (Coastal) Forest -- the climax forest of the province's rocky and exposed southwestern to northeastern coastline.

This Document Includes:

1. Spruce, Fir, Pine-Maple, Birch Forest

Physical Aspects
Successional Sequence
Plants
Animals
Special Features
Distribution In Nova Scotia

2. Spruce, Fir-Maple Forest

Physical Aspects
Successional Sequence
Plants
Animals
Special Features
Distribution In Nova Scotia

3. White Spruce, Fir-Maple, Birch (Coastal) Forest

Physical Aspects
Successional Sequence
Plants
Animals
Special Features
Distribution In Nova Scotia

Download PDF File (144k, 4 pages, 1 plate)

Additional Keywords:
hardwood, coniferous, softwood, Bracken Fern, Blueberry, Sheep-Laurel, Bunchberry, Schreber's Moss, warblers, Snowshoe Hare, deer, Sphagnum, White-footed Mouse, Red-backed Vole, shrew, Red Squirrel, chickadees, junco, thrushes, white-throated sparrows, Marsh Marigold, edaphic climax, krummholz, Wood-Sorrel, Wild Lily-of-the-valley, Starflower, Goldthread, Clintonia, Wood Aster, cormorants, Common Eiders, herons

Associated Topics:

T2.2 Avalon and Meguma Zones
T5 Climate
T9 Soils
T10 Plants
T11.2 Forest and Edge-habitat Birds
T11.7 Seabirds and Birds of Marine Habitats
T11.10 Ungulates
T11.11 Small Mammals
T11.16 Land and Freshwater Invertebrates
T12.10 Plants and Resources

Associated Habitats:

H4.3 Swamp
H5.1 Barren
H6.1 Hardwood Forest
H6.2 Softwood Forest