The vegetation of Nova Scotia just before the last glaciation is believed to have been essentially similar to that of the present day. Successive glaciations of the Pleistocene completely eradicated all pre-glacial vegetation from the landmass that is now Nova Scotia, clearing the way for the post-glacial floral elements. The species of our present flora remained in refugia south of the edge of the ice sheet. They have all migrated into the area as the climate warmed. The modern flora also includes a significant introduced component of species imported during human settlement.

This section includes lists of typical species from each of six floral elements: Arctic-Alpine and Boreal Disjunct, Boreal, Canadian, Alleghanian, Southwestern and Plants of the Seashore.

This Document Includes:

Pre-glacial Vegetation In Eastern Canada
Glaciation
Post-glacial Floral Element Immigration
Floral Elements

Arctic-Alpine and Boreal Disjunct
Boreal
Canadian
Alleghanian
Southwestern
Plants of the Seashore

Introductions

Download PDF File (32k, 4 pages)

Additional Keywords:
deciduous, herbaceous, coniferous, tundra, Cape Breton Plateau, Chignecto isthmus, shrubs, ericaceous, ferns

Associated Topics:

T3.3 Glaciation, Deglaciation and Sea-level Changes
T4.1 Post-glacial Climactic Change
T4.3 Post-glacial Colonization By Animals
T9.3 Biological Environment
T10.1-12 Plants
T12.10 Plants and Resources

Associated Habitats:

H2.1 - H2.6 Coastal
H3.1 - H3.6 Freshwater
H4.1 - H4.4 Freshwater Wetlands
H5.1 - H5.5 Terrestrial Unforested
H6.1 - H6.3 Forests