Geology and Landscape Development
The Judique Coastal Lowland forms a very narrow band along the eastern side of St. Georges Bay and is the geological continuation of sub-Unit 521b. It appears likely that the entire bay area was once composed of the same strata as is now exposed around its rim. The bay may have been carved out by an ancestral river flowing from the Scotian Shelf through the Strait of Canso.

At Port Hood a small area of grey Riversdale sandstone and shale contains thin coal seams. These dip under the waters of the bay at an angle of 20°.

Fresh Water
Several small, isolated tertiary watersheds run parallel to each other and drain first-order streams into the east side of St. Georges Bay. A few small bogs are scattered further inland.

Soils
The soils in the Unit are predominantly imperfectly drained Queens clay

Port Hood Island, Marble Hill, Inverness County Click to enlarge

loams, with their poorly drained associate, the Kingsville series, occurring frequently and over substantial acreages. Better-drained soils of the Woodbourne and Shulie series are developed on tills derived from sandstone in small areas throughout the Unit. Around Port Hood, Springhill soils occur. These sandy loams, related to Shulie soils, occupy imperfectly drained sites where water movement is restricted by the topography. Small areas of peat, coarse Hebert soils, and Falmouth and Cumberland soils occur throughout.

Plants
Loucks places this unit in the Sugar Maple-Hemlock, Pine Zone. The main influences on the vegetation are the wet clay soils, the late spring, and the effects of agricultural clearing. Conifers are dominant. Many of the oldfields are regenerating in White Spruce and Balsam Fir. Black Spruce and Larch are found in the wetter areas. Shade-tolerant deciduous trees grow on some slopes, while a mixed forest of spruce and fir with some shade-intolerant hardwoods covers much of the area.

Cultural Environment
Small-scale farming, fishing, and woodlot exploitation form the economic basis of communities in this area. In former times, coal was mined at Port Hood.

Sites of Special Interest

• Port Hood - coal seams in Riversdale strata

Provincial Parks and Park Reserves

• Craigmore

Proposed Parks and Protected Areas System includes Natural Landscape 59.

Associated Topics T2.4 The Carboniferous Basin T3.2 Ancient Drainage Patterns

Associated Habitats H3.1 Freshwater Open-Water Lotic H3.5 Freshwater Water's Edge Lotic H5.2 Oldfield H6.2 Softwood Forest (White Spruce Association; Black Spruce, Larch Association) H6.3 Mixedwood Forest (Spruce, Fir, Pine-Maple, Birch Association)