Healthy Lakes and Wetlands For Tomorrow - Species at Risk

GLOSSARY
Alien Species: Animals and plants that have become established in areas outside their natural
range. Also known as exotic, non-native, or introduced species. Not all alien species are invasive
(for example tulips). See invasive alien species.
Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora: The Atlantic coastal plain refers to the relatively flat land along
the Atlantic Coast from Florida to Nova Scotia. Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora are the group of plant
species that are mainly restricted to this area. There are 90 species of Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora
in Nova Scotia.
Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life, the genetic variability of each species, and the
variety of different ecosystems within a region. An area with many species and ecosystems has
more biodiversity than an area with only a few.
Brackish Water: Partially salty water found in areas where freshwater and saltwater mix (such as
mouths of rivers entering the ocean).
critical Habitat: Defined in the Species at Risk Act as “the habitat that is necessary for the survival
or recovery of a listed wildlife species” (see page 4).
Ecosystem: A community of plants, animals and microorganisms, along with their environment,
that function together as a unit. An ecosystem can be as large as a forest or as small as a rotting
log.
Invasive Alien species: Animals and plants that have become established in areas outside their
natural range, that have the potential to harm the environment, economy and/or society.
Lake Shoreline: The band of exposed land below the ordinary high water mark extending to the
water’s edge (see page 8).
Ordinary High Water Mark: The highest point on the shoreline where water will rise under normal
weather conditions. It is usually distinguished by the presence of shrubs and other vegetation that
do not tolerate wet conditions (see page 8).
Recovery: The restoration of a species back to a self-perpetuating population size.
Riparian Zone: The land next to water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands (see page 8).
Species at Risk: Plants and animals that may not exist in the future and need our help. Species
are assessed by experts and are listed under federal and/or provincial laws if they are determined
to be at risk of becoming extinct. Once a species is determined to be at risk, it is placed in one of
six status categories depending on how close it is to extinction within Nova Scotia or Canada. The
categories are Extinct, Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern/Vulnerable, and Not at
Risk (see page 3 for definitions of each).
Stewardship: Ownership of responsibility for the environment. It means caring for the land in a
responsible way to ensure that healthy ecosystems are passed on to future generations.
Wetland: An area that is waterlogged, or partially or completely covered by water, for all or part of
the year. The Canadian Wetland Classification System organizes wetlands into five types (see page
8 for definitions of each).
Did You Know
Some Blanding’s Turtle hatchlings
move very little in a day (10 cm or
less), while others travel hundreds of
meters in one day.
N. Green
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