Spatial patterns and habitat characteristics of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora across lakeshore edges in Nova Scotia

Abstract

Lakeshores are hotspots for biodiversity in many temperate regions, including disjunct populations of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora (ACPF) in Nova Scotia. As ACPF are increasingly endangered, I aimed to provide a framework that can guide decisions regarding the conservation of ACPF habitat by (1) identifying their spatial pattern and relationship with structural diversity along the lakeshore-to-forest gradient and (2) defining their habitat characteristics at landscape and local scales. I characterized common lakeshore ACPF species, vegetation structural elements and abiotic factors on lakes in the Medway watershed. ACPF were positively associated with structural diversity on lakeshores where low levels of structural diversity were found. At a landscape scale, larger watershed area, distance to shrub and gentle slope, with low elevation and shrub cover, presence of sundews, bryophytes and graminoids, and a variety of substrate types, at a local scale, were positively associated with ACPF, which can help to identify ACPF habitat.