Earth and Environmental Sciences Departmental Publications
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/75232
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Open Access Exploring the influence of nature exposure on decision-making(2016-04) Shin, RachelItem Open Access The Lake Fletcher Phosphorus Model(2016-04) Marvel, PaigeItem Open Access Habitat characteristics associated with redroot (Lachnanthes caroliniana) in Nova Scotia(2016-04) Ring, AmandaRedroot (Lachnanthes caroliniana Lam.) is a member of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora (ACPF), a group of taxonomically unrelated plants occupying similar habitat types along the eastern coast of North America. These species are typically poor competitors, and thus thrive in very specific nutrient-poor and high-disturbance environments. Redroot has been listed as “threatened” under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act and as a COSEWIC Species of Special Concern, and gaining a greater understanding of its habitat is one of the key conservation goals listed in management plans for the species. Therefore, this study examined the shoreline characteristics, vegetation structure, and interspecific interactions associated with redroot. In the summer of 2015, transects and grids were established at seven lakes in southwestern Nova Scotia, measuring the abundance of redroot and other vegetation, as well as substrate type and elevation. Redroot was found to grow in patches along the first 5 m of shorelines, well within the zone of disturbance from periodic flooding, wave action and ice scour. These disturbances limit the encroachment of woody species which would otherwise outcompete redroot. Redroot abundance increased significantly with decreasing lake area, increasing watershed area to lake area ratio, and increasing amounts of gravel on shorelines. Since flowering is rare in Nova Scotia, and the species is limited to asexual reproduction through rhizome fragmentation, lake connectivity is also thought to be a critical habitat component. The covariation of redroot with other species of ACPF was highly variable between sites, but showed that the direction and magnitude of redroot’s interspecific interactions change depending on the spatial scale at which they are examined. This study confirms habitat trends described in the 2010 COSEWIC status report and complements them through an increased understanding of redroot’s habitat characteristics on the microhabitat scale. These findings can be used to determine suitable regions which could be protected in order to prevent the extirpation of the species.Item Open Access An Examination of 4th and 5th Grade Children’s Conceptualization of Neighbourhoods in Halifax Nova Scotia(2016-04) Ojoleck, AdreanThis study utilizes artistic expression, written description and verbal communication through interviews to better understand children's conceptualizations of neighbourhood. This conceptualization is used to determine how children define a neighbourhood, what children value in a neighbourhood, and whether aspects of nature are currently a part of their understanding of the area that they live in. Results from this study indicate that conceptualization of neighbourhood is primarily grounded in the children’s sense of home, and opportunities for socializing or play, as seen through the importance of built play areas, parks and abundant references to familiar houses. The aforementioned combination infers a sense of community throughout the analysis. This adds to the body of knowledge in the area of children’s perception of neighbourhoods as well as some understanding in terms of their biophilic relationship with nature.Item Open Access CYPRUS CRUSTAL STUDY PROJECT Hole CY-1 Core Descriptions(1984-01-15) Robinson, Paul; Douma, LouisaItem Open Access On The Rocks - THE TRAINING OF GEOLOGISTS AT DALHOUSIE(1994-04-15) Milligan, George ClintonItem Open Access The 1946-47 Labrador Expedition(1998-10-28) Milligan, George Clinton