Scientists find rare species in survey of Chignecto Isthmus - Action News
Home WebMail Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 03:59 AM | Calgary | -1.0°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
New Brunswick

Scientists find rare species in survey of Chignecto Isthmus

A group of researchers recently conducted a land survey of the Chignecto Isthmus, a narrow strip of land connecting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and documented over 58 species of birds and 360 species of plants.

Non-profit group will use the data as part of its ongoing conservation efforts

Bird in a tree
The Canada jay is one of the rare birds spotted by scientists on the Chignecto Isthmus. (Submitted by Sean Blaney)

For wildlifethat can't fly or swim, the only path between New Brunswick and Nova Scotiais across the Chignecto Isthmus.

That's why it's important "to maintain the genetic integrity of populations of species that need it," saysSean Blaney, executive director andsenior scientist at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre.

A map of the Chignecto Isthmus that connects New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
The Chignecto Isthmus connects Nova Scotia with the rest of Canada. (CBC News)

This isthmus, a narrow strip of land thatconnects the two provinces, is the focus of a researchproject led by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

As part of that project, Blaney and a group of scientists at thecentre recently surveyed the strip of land, documenting over 58 species of birds. They also identified 360 species of plants,270 of which were native species and 90 exotic.

"Larger patches of that nature are becoming rarer all the time in our region," said Blaney.

The scientists work beforehand to find "critical zones," or areas that haven't been affected by people that wildlife is likely using to traverse the area.

There are no trailsand the terrain is rugged and swampy, said Blaney.

The area that he covered was north of Scoudouc, between Shediac and Moncton.

"I was surprised in a good way by the extent of higher quality forest," he said.

"It can be a struggle to find more mature forest in larger patches in this region because it has a really long history of human occupation and quite intensive use for forestry and for other land uses that have converted the forest entirely."

Landscape photo of the Chignecto Isthmus
The isthmus is a narrow 24-kilometre strip of land that joins mainland Nova Scotia to New Brunswick. (Submitted by Sean Blaney)

He spotted rare bird species such asthe eastern kingbird and Canada jays, and even an orchid listed in New Brunswick as endangered: the southern twayblade.

He said these patches of intact habitat on the isthmusare essential for animals.

"It's quite important as one of the last quite intact zones within a real priority habitat corridor," he said.

Blaney will hand over his data to the Nature Conservancy, which will use it as part of the organization's conservation efforts, including working with local landowners to maintain natural areas.

With files from CBC's Shift