WMS

EcoElement (1)

The patterns (frequency, intensity and extent) of fire, insects, wind, landslides and other natural processes in an area at the EcoSection (2015) level (http://novascotia.ca/natr/library/forestry/reports/NDRreport3.pdf). Natural disturbances inherently influence the arrangement of forested ecosystems and their biodiversity on a given landscape. Three disturbance regimes recognized in Nova Scotia are: Frequent: Disturbances which result in the rapid mortality of an existing stand and the establishment of a new stand of relatively even age. The time interval between stand initiating events typically occurs more frequently than the longevity of the climax species that would occupy the site – therefore, evidence of gap dynamics and understory recruitment is usually absent. This regime results in the establishment and perpetuation of early to mid-successional vegetation types. Infrequent: Stand initiating disturbances which result in the rapid mortality of an existing stand and the establishment of a new stand of relatively even-age, but the time interval between disturbance events is normally longer than the average longevity of the dominant species – allowing gap dynamics and understory recruitment to evolve and become evident (eventually creating uneven-aged stands). This regime generally leads to the establishment and/or perpetuation of mid to late successional vegetation types. Gap replacement: Stand initiating disturbances are rare. Instead, disturbances are characterized by gap and small patch mortality, followed by understory recruitment, resulting in stands with multiple age classes. This regime generally leads to the establishment and/or perpetuation of late successional vegetation types.

EcoDistrict (3)

The third of five levels in the Ecological Land Classification (2015) for Nova Scotia, and a subdivision of ecoregions. Characterized by distinctive assemblages of relief, geology, landform and vegetation. See https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestry/ecological/ecolandclass.asp.

Ecological Emphasis Class (6)

Four levels of conservation are defined based on the degree to which the conservation of natural conditions is emphasized in the management practices and policies applied to the land. All lands within an ecologically defined area (eg. ecodistrict landscape, or landscape elements) are assessed at the stand level of the GIS forestry database layer, and assigned to one of the four “ecological emphasis classes”.

Forest Modeling Elements (8)

Forest Modeling Elements (Forest Community) is a coarse characterization of the occurrence and relative abundance of tree species associations within the forested landscape and is built upon the Nova Scotia Forest Inventory. The focus is on dominant tree species associations. The ELA guide outlines twelve forest communities:HTHw, HITHw, HIHw, MTHw, MIHwHS, MIHwSH, SrSbSDom, SwSDom, SbFDom, SSpbFDom, SPiDom, SMHePiSP. As well there are five classes to represent non-forest inventory types: ILW, AV, ANV, NNV, and NFV.

Seral Stage (10)

Any stage of succession of an ecosystem from a disturbed, unvegetated state to a climax plant community. Seral stage describes the tree species composition of a forest within the context of successional development.

WAM Wetness Index (12)

Wet Area Mapping wetness index. Provincial Wet Areas Mapping (WAM) is the product of research work carried out by the Nexfor/Bowater Forest Watershed Research Centre at the University of New Brunswick (led by Dr. Paul Arp). This project was funded by several government and industry partners (see list of partners below). The WAM model predicts where water will naturally flow and/or accumulate in the landscape based on digital elevation (DEM) data and the known location of surface water bodies and wetlands. In essence, WAM is a "cartographically derived depth-to-water index." It is important for users of WAM to understand that depth values listed do not represent predicted depth to a water table or ground water, rather they are a relative wetness index which can be related to the likelihood of there being natural water flows (above or below ground) and accumulation of water as reflected by on-site drainage conditions (well, moderately well, imperfect, poor, very poor). WAM does not take into account soil conditions that may further influence drainage conditions (such as soil texture), nor does it predict flows and accumulations that are the result of human disturbance or infrastructure. The WAM project was completed under contract by the University of New Brunswick in 2005-2007. Contributing partners to the project were: • Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources • Bowater Mersey Paper Ltd. • J.D. Irving Ltd. • Neenah Paper Inc. • StoraEnso Port Hawkesbury Ltd. • Nova Forest Alliance Model Forest • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada • Parks Canada • Nova Scotia Environment and Labour • Service Nova Scotia WAM products made available here for public use are through the courtesy of project partners.

Forest Volume (14)

Average total merchantable volume categories (m3/ha) for forest stands.

Land Cover (16)

Forest cover types, including non-forest categories.

Forest Stand Details (18)

Delineates forest stands and non-forest areas. At large scales labels show some stand attributes.

Forest Treatment Overview (20)

The treatment dataset records the location and type of silviculture treatments in the forest. Sources of information include: GPS collected data submitted under the Wood Acquisition Plan program. Crown land silviculture data collected from various sources, including paper plans, string box and compass, aerial photography and GPS. Historical pre-GPS Silvicultural features. Note that all treatments are not recorded. For example, it is known that not all treatments on private land are reported to the Wood Acquisition Plan program.