Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor: An ArcGIS StoryMap

Mapping ecological and cultural values and connectivity in Southwest Nova Scotia

Still water wetland with water vegetation and blue sky.

A note about the Special Places Protection Act:

The stories within this StoryMap present the natural and cultural heritage of Kespukwitk. ‘All palaeontology and archaeology sites, both known and unknown, are protected under the Special Places Protection Act. Those who damage or destroy important sites face stiff penalties ($10,000.00-100,000.00 fine, 2023). Protected sites include land in either public or private ownership as well as underwater sites.’ For more information:  Special Places Protection Act .


All of nature is connected.

Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor

The Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We are all Treaty people.

The corridor stretches from the Bay of Fundy to the Atlantic Ocean and includes the Bear River and Mersey watersheds, Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and Kejimkujik National Park Seaside in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Map of Mi'kma'ki with place names and animal names in Mi'kmaq.
Map of Mi'kma'ki with place names and animal names in Mi'kmaq.

Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor is shown on the map of Mi'kma'ki.

Fast moving river with trees framing the river banks.

Protected spaces and regional connectivity

Current protected spaces within the Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor include:

Explore and visualize the connectivity of features such as protected spaces in the  Geospatial Data Viewer .


Ecological values

Freshwater aquatic ecosystems

The Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor is defined by the Bear River and Mersey watersheds. The Mersey River is the lifeblood of the region. It is one of the largest rivers in Nova Scotia flowing from the source at Sandy Bottom Lake in Annapolis County southward to the Atlantic Ocean at the town of Liverpool. Bear River flows from Lake Mulgrave to the Annapolis Basin, about 6 kilometres east of Digby.

The watersheds of the Mersey River and Bear River

Species at risk

Species at risk are plants and animals with populations that have experienced declines and are at risk of being lost from Nova Scotia, Canada, or even the planet. Southwest Nova Scotia is a hot spot for species at risk in the province.

Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora (ACPF)

Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora (ACPF) are a unique group of unrelated plants that are mainly restricted to the Atlantic Coast from Florida to Nova Scotia called the Atlantic Plain. There are over 90 ACPF species concentrated in the southwestern part of the province along inland lake and river shores, wetlands, and along the coast in salt marshes. Fifteen ACPF species are listed as species at risk, and some are found nowhere else in Canada. ACPF species at risk found in southwest Nova Scotia include:

  • Water pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata)
  • Tall beakrush (Rhynchospora macrostachya)
  • Thread-leaved sundew (Drosera filiformis)
  • Eastern baccharis (Baccharis hamilifolia)
  • Plymouth gentian (Sabatia kennedyana)
  • Long's bulrush (Scirpus longii)
  • Spotted pondweed (Chelydra serpentina)
  • Golden-crest (Lophiola aurea)
  • Redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana)
  • Tuberculed spike-rush (Eleocharis tuberculosa)
  • Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
  • Eastern lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis chinensis)
  • Pink coreopsis (Coreopsis rosea)

Water pennywort is found on only 3 lakes in all of Canada

Blanding's turtle and Eastern ribbonsnake

The Blanding's turtle and Eastern ribbonsnake are species at risk that frequent the aquatic ecosystems in the Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor. Intact habitats and corridors are important for these species as they move through the landscape (including forests and roads) between their summer and winter habitats (and nesting habitats for turtles). Keep an eye out for nesting female turtles on the roads in June, and hatchlings in September and October. Snakes often bask on roads when the air temperature is cooler.

Two views of endangered Blanding’s turtles and threatened Eastern ribbonsnake.

Local research and surveys at the links below:

Ecosystem threats:

  • Invasive species
  • Dams
  • Roads

Invasive Species

Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and Chain pickerel (Esox niger) are species of non-native invasive predatory fish now found throughout the Mersey Corridor. Smallmouth bass were introduced as a sportfish into Nova Scotia in 1942 and Chain pickerel were illegally introduced to Nova Scotia in 1945. Their introduction has resulted in the loss of native species abundance and decreased biodiversity.

Aquatic connectivity and movement through rivers and lakes allows these invasive fish species to spread across the region.

Dams

Dams affect water levels and limit connectivity for species such as trout, Atlantic salmon and Alewife (Gaspereau).

Forested ecosystems

The Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor is also defined by intact and mature forests. Forest ecosystems and the diversity of tree species are important for species at risk such as the Mainland moose. Forest loss threatens connectivity.

Species at risk

Moose

Nova Scotia's mainland population of Eastern moose is listed under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act. Loss of habitat and lack of connectivity contributes to its decline. Protected forest patches in the Kespukwitk Corridor helped safeguard some of their habitat.

Lichens

There are many sensitive lichen species in the forests of the corridor. Their sensitivity makes them great biological indicators and their presence can illustrate a lot about the ecological integrity of an area.

Alain Belliveau (Biodiversity Collections Manager, Acadia University) on Parmotrema Island in Kejimkujik Lake, Perforated ruffled tree lichen from Kejimkujik NP and NHS (Parmotrema perforatum), Mainland moose

Scientist Troy McMullin and Parks Canada staff have researched and surveyed lichens in this area.

In the news:

  • "Scientists scour Keji Seaside Park - and they're lichen what they've found"  (CBC news) 
  • "Why the discovery of rare lichen in Kejimkujik is good news for air quality"  (CBC news) 

Small yellow bird with brown wings on a branch.

Canada Warbler

Forest birds

Many species at risk forest birds frequent the Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor including:

  • Canada warbler
  • Eastern wood-peewee
  • Evening grosbeak
  • Olive-sided flycatcher
  • Rusty blackbird

Hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA) egg sacks look like cotton balls on a hemlock branch.

Coastal ecosystems

Waves rolling off the beach at sunset

Kejimkujik National Park Seaside

The Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor runs from the Bay of Fundy in the north to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the south. The coastal landscape includes various habitats that support a multitude of plant and animal species.

Species at Risk

Kejimkujik National Park Seaside is home to the Piping Plover, a small shorebird that nests directly on sand beaches. Parks Canada staff and volunteers actively monitor and work to protect this species at risk.

Small white bird with brown wings and head standing in sand.

Endangered Piping plover at Kejimkujik Seaside

Cultural Keystone Species

For the Mi’kmaq, all species are important and connected. Some species, referred to as Cultural Keystone Species (CKS), are integral to helping weave Indigenous Knowledge into western science and conservation work.

Work has started with Mi'kmaw support to understand the distribution, population and cultural significance of:

  • Apistane'wj - American marten
  • Welima'qji'jkewe'l/Su'ite'l - Sweetgrass
  • Wisqoq - Black ash

Some Cultural Keystone Species: Apistane'wj (American Marten), Welima'qji'jkewe'l / Su'ite'l (Sweetgrass) and Wisqoq (Black Ash).

Ecosystem threats

European green crab is an invasive species causing habitat disruption at Kejimkujik Seaside. European green crab was introduced to the area and changed the coastal estuary habitat. Learn more about the  Coastal estuary restoration - Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. 

Green crab being held by a gloved hand.

The European green crab is invasive to Nova Scotian coastal ecosystems


People on the Land

The stories within this StoryMap present the natural and cultural heritage of Kespukwitk. ‘All palaeontology and archaeology sites, both known and unknown, are protected under the Special Places Protection Act. Those who damage or destroy important sites face stiff penalties ($10,000.00-100,000.00 fine, 2023). Protected sites include land in either public or private ownership as well as underwater sites.’ For more information:  Special Places Protection Act .

Illustrated map of Mi'kma'ki

Illustrated map of Mi'kma'ki.

The Mi'kmaq

Historical evidence of the Mi'kmaq living in Mi'kma'ki dates to 11,100 - 13,300 years ago. Mi’kma’ki is the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq or L’nu’k (the People). Kespukwitk (Lands End), is one of the districts of Mi'kmaki. The cultural history of this area is very rich.

Aerial view of forested islands among dark blue water.

Archaeology in the Corridor

Some of the oldest artifacts recovered in this area date back around 10,000 years. The most common materials are slate, chert, quartz, rhyolite, and basalt. The stone is from different areas around the province such as Scots Bay and Ingonish. Some of the chert is from Ontario. This suggests trade routes and long distance travel, another reason rivers like the Mersey River were so important to the Mi’kmaq.

Learn more:

Clockwise from top left: petroglyph, petroglyph, petroglyph, person making a stone tool, petroglyph, a stone axe on a beaver pelt, Mi'kmaw cultural items.


Historical maps

Historical maps provide us with a snapshot of the past and help us visualize ecological changes on the landscape. These mapping tools are also important for learning about the histories of the Mi'kmaq and settlers across Kespukwitk post-colonization. Links to historical maps are provided below.

The 1919 Nova Scotia Guide Map

When paired with modern-day imagery, historical maps can help us visualize change on the landscape. The 1919 Nova Scotia Guide Map (right) was georeferenced using known features such as large rocks or historical place names. It was drawn by hand and there are inaccuracies in georeferencing but it does give us a good idea of how the area has drastically changed. The 1919 map has a transparency applied to compare with modern day imagery. Use the slide tool to visualize how damming in the area led to flooding. Zoom, and pan to learn more about how the Lake Rossignol area has changed since 1919.

Sources: World imagery basemap (Esri) and 1919 Nova Scotia Guide Map (Dominion Atlantic Railway)

Lake Rossignol in 1928

In 1928, the lake was dammed at Indian Gardens to generate electricity for a pulp mill. The dams changed the lake shoreline dramatically and many rich archaeological sites and burial sites were submerged, and remain so today.

Historical black and white image with view across the Mersey River at Indian Gardens with wooden dam.

Indian Gardens with view across dam

Use the slide tool below to visualize changes in the lake. 1928 air photos are set to 30% transparency to more easily identify changes. Notice the significant flooding of shoreline and forest as a result. Pan around the map and use the "+" or "-" buttons to explore. To visualize with other data sets or set transparency, proceed to the Geospatial Data Collection web map.

Many dams were constructed on the Lower Mersey. Additional data collection and mapping efforts have the potential to unveil more about how these dams impacted the area.

Dam 1 - Indian Gardens

Dam 5 - Deep Brook and Guzzle Falls

Dam 6 - Cowie Falls


Geospatial Data Viewer

Geospatial data is essential for understanding barriers to connectivity and opportunities for continued connectivity and protection for both ecological and cultural features in the Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor.

Explore data in the map below to see the connectivity of features such as protected spaces, waterways, canoe routes, and more. This is the full collection of geospatial data currently being referenced with the exception of some sources which have yet to be digitized.

ArcGIS Web Application: Geospatial Data Viewer


Learn more

Click on the links for more sources.

 MapAnnapolis  community maps depicting the culture and history of Annapolis County

Nature Conservancy of Canada's  The Active River Area StoryMap  for riparian areas conservation, restoration, and land use management

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change's  Interactive Map  for Protected Areas

Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry  Harvest Plans Map Viewer 

The Nature Conservancy's  Regional Flow Patterns  data for the Northern Appalachians

The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve's  Interactive Science Atlas 

 Tobeatic Sanctuary site  about the history of the Tobeatic.

Project

Background

In early March 2020, a workshop was held to discuss the ecological and cultural values in the Mersey and Bear River watersheds in Southwest Nova Scotia. Maps of the area were provided to encourage discussion of these values in the Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor ("the Corridor" or "study area"). The Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor is the study area for the project to date. It is an arbitrary symbol on a map, a starting point for discussion and future collaboration in the Kespukwitk district.

 March 2020 Participants: 

Credits

Parks Canada, Jill Francis, Matthew Meuse-Dallien (Nova Scotia Museum), Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, NSGI, Roger Lewis, Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History, Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, Alain Belliveau, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Chuck Sangster,  Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change, Medway Community Forest Cooperative, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Roe Brothers, David Rumsey Historical Map Collection, Mi’kmaw Place Names Digital Atlas, Queens County Museum, Martha Stiegman & Sherry Pictou, Vtape, Dalhousie University Archives, Lawrence Powell, Sara Beanlands and Boreas Heritage Consulting Ltd., North-South Environmental Inc.


Contact

To provide feedback on this StoryMap tool or the content within it, please contact Matt Smith at matthew.smith@pc.gc.ca

Kespukwitk Conservation Corridor is shown on the map of Mi'kma'ki.

Canada Warbler

Kejimkujik National Park Seaside

Endangered Piping plover at Kejimkujik Seaside

The European green crab is invasive to Nova Scotian coastal ecosystems

Illustrated map of Mi'kma'ki.

Indian Gardens with view across dam