Like terrestrial and freshwater environments, the coastal environment may be subdivided using biophysical classifications to provide a hierarchical categorization of environments. Coastal landforms (see T7.3) are the smallest of these divisions and have not been systematically identified in Nova Scotia yet.

- Atlantic Coast (exposed, high wave energy)

- Bay of Fundy (large tide range, semi-enclosed, more sheltered from wave exposure)

- Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (micro-tidal, seasonally wave dominated, winter sea ice)

- Sable Island (open shelf environments, exposed, high wave energy)

Tables T7.2.1 - T7.2.3 summarize key features of the main coastal environments of the province.

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Associated Topics:

T2 Geology
T6.2 Oceanic Environments
T6.3 Coastal Aquatic Environments
T6.4 Estuaries
T7.1 Modifying Forces
T7.3 Coastal Landforms