Ecosystem Classification - Natural Resources

Topics

Summary
Overview
ELC Online Map
ELC for Nova Scotia, Vol. 1
ELC Updates (under construction)
Contact Us

Other Links

Photo -The Aspy fault near Big Intervale on the Cabot Trail

Ecological Land Classification
Map and Database

Below is a table outlining criteria used for delineating the ecological land units.

The ELC will provide a common language for all resource users when addressing the management and planning for the various elements of biodiversity such as individual species, habitats, ecosystem structures, age class of the forest, species associations and genetics.

Further detail on the ELC is available in the report Ecological Land Classification for Nova Scotia, Volume 1. Revisions to the ELC will be posted at the ELC Updates page (under construction).

If you would like further information on the ELC for Nova Scotia, please contact Peter Neily, RPF, Forest Ecologist (pdneily@gov.ns.ca), Forestry Division, Truro, Nova Scotia.

Hierarchical levels of the Nova Scotia Ecological Land Classification

Ecological Unit	Map Scale	# of Units	Criteria for Delineating Unit
Ecozone	1:1,000,000	1	global or continental climate as reflected by vegetation

Ecoregion	1:500,000	9	provincial climate as expressed through soils and vegetation

Ecodistrict	1:250,000	39	subdivisions of ecoregions characterized by distinctive assemblages of relief, geology, landform, soils and vegetation

Ecosection	1:50,000	637(1)	a repeating pattern of landform/topography, soils and vegetation throughout an ecodistrict, a maximum of 63 combinations of the physical attributes are possible

Ecosite	1:10,000	N/A	a uniformity of parent material, soils, vegetation and hydrology as expressed by slope, position on slope, aspect and exposure

(1) - Approximate since not all ecosections are found in every ecodistrict. Assumes that a level of uniqueness exists between similar ecosections in different ecodistricts. N/A - The ecosite layer is currently under development and not available at this time.


Government Home > Natural Resources > Forestry > Ecological Land Classification	\| Site Index Government of Nova Scotia Natural Resources