A Report on a Conservation Planning Process for a Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Vision in Nova Scotia

Abstract

In May of 1999, a workshop was held to lay the groundwork for a conservation plan to maintain and restore terrestrial and marine biodiversity. The products of the workshop include vision maps and recommendations for biodiversity conservation in Nova Scotia. The wild lands conservation vision identifies existing protected areas, areas suitable for filling gaps in the representation of natural landscape types, and other areas of significant ecological value. Four types of conservation areas are proposed: 1) core areas, to be managed primarily for ecological processes; 2) connectivity zones between core areas; 3) aquatic/marine zones around islands, headlands, bays, lakes and rivers; and, 4) compatible use zones, which provide a buffer function while allowing for human uses. The wild seas conservation vision includes five conservation categories: 1) marine management units; 2) marine protected areas (MPA’s) selected with particular attention to the benthic zones (ocean floor); 3) core “no take” zones in areas of unique or sensitive features, species or assemblages; 4) a special management zone for larval retention; and, 5) a “no-dragger” zone to protect fragile deep sea corals.