Musquodoboit (11222)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Musquodoboit
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.7000, Longitude: -63.1000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 28.54257
Protected area coverage (%): 62.60
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This site is located at the seaward end of Musquodoboit Harbour on the Atlantic Ocean coast of south-central Nova Scotia, about 35 km east of downtown Dartmouth. Musquodoboit is a tidal inlet, largely enclosed by a barrier sand beach and many wooded islands. Sand and mud flats appear during periods of low water. The tidal range at this site is about 2 m. The adjoining land rises to 50 m within 1 km of the harbour.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Musquodoboit was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for one aggregating bird species (Semipalmated Plover). In addition to global significant bird species, this site also supports nationally significant populations of one canadian threatened bird species (Piping Plover).
Manageability of the site: Musquodoboit intersects or contains one protected areas consisting of Musquodoboit Harbour Conservation Lands managed by Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Delineation rationale: The Musquodoboit KBA was delineated to include the tidal inlet, and an approximately 1km buffer around it.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 55 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 30 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Ongoing |