Characterizing the Conifer Density Gradient from the Halifax Peninsula to the Hinterlands of the Halifax Regional Municipality

Abstract

The urban-forest tree-species composition is influenced by the urban environment and thus by daily anthropogenic activity. However, in the naturalized woodlands, species composition is primarily influenced by natural disturbances. In moving away from the urban setting to the naturalized forest, there is a shift in the environment leading to a transition of dominant species, ultimately creating a species composition gradient. This study characterized the conifer gradient through assessing the Halifax Peninsula, surrounding communities, and the hinterlands of the HRM. The assessment of the conifer density on the Halifax Peninsula followed a probabilistic sampling technique in which ocular estimates were conducted to produce a conifer inventory for the study area. To assess the conifer density in the other study areas, two independent datasets were analyzed. Further analyses on other cities’ conifer densities were conducted to develop benchmark values for the HRM. Through these assessments, it became apparent that there is a steep conifer gradient in the transition from the urban environment to the naturalized environment. These data can be used to question the lack of conifers in the urban forest despite their prominence in the naturalized setting and in other cities. Key Words: Conifer, Urban Forest, Urban Forest Values, Urban Environment, Density