Southern Uplands Ecoregion

The Southern Uplands Ecoregion is composed of two separate regions. The larger of the two is located in the northern part of the province and partially surrounds the central portion of the Highlands Ecoregion. The smaller portion is located in the southern part of the province, coinciding with the high elevation Fundy Plateau adjacent to the Fundy Coastal Ecoregion. Although both of these areas are widely separated, they are quite similar.

Both are moderately high in elevation, ranging from 180 metres in the south to 600 metres in the north. The northern portion is very hilly. Much of this ecoregion drains into the watersheds of the Saint John and Miramichi rivers. The climate is warmer than in the Northern Uplands, but precipitation levels are similar. Hills are mainly occupied by tolerant hardwood species (sugar maple, yellow birch and beech). Low areas contain spruce and balsam fir. Ironwood, basswood, butternut, white ash, green ash and silver maple grow in scattered locations.

Provincial Committee
Scientific Committee

Valley Lowlands Ecoregion

Stretching from Edmundston down to Passamaquoddy Bay, and from the U.S. border almost to the Petitcodiac River, the Valley Lowlands is the most extensive of New Brunswick's ecoregions The defining characteristic of this region is diversity. Its geographic breadth has led to a corresponding variety of woody and herbaceous species, many with southern affinities.

The forest cover of these warm lowlands is composed mainly of southern species such as tolerant hardwoods and red spruce, rather than the more northerly species of balsam fir and white spruce. About 30 tree species are represented here, including those with a strong southern affinity such as basswood, butternut, ironwood, silver maple, green ash and white ash.

The geology of this ecoregion is diverse as well. The highest elevations (above 550 metres) occur near New Denmark.

Highlands Ecoregion

The Highlands Ecoregion consists of two separate high elevation areas. The first is located in the extreme northwestern corner of the province in the Kedgwick area. This rugged area is deeply dissected by many rivers, including the Kedgwick, Gounamitz and Green. The second area - a more mountainous section of north-central New Brunswick - includes the Mount Carleton Natural Area. This portion is drained by the Nepisiguit and Miramichi rivers. Elevations are generally higher than 500 metres and temperatures are cold. Precipitation tends to be high. Vegetation consists of species well-adapted to the cool, wet climate: mainly softwoods such as balsam fir, black spruce, and white spruce.

Site Description

The Kennedy Lakes site covers 20,665 hectares. It includes the Kennedy Lakes Conservation Area, which is now part of the protected area. The site captures the hills and low mountains of the Southern Uplands Ecoregion, and the ridges and valleys of the Valley Lowlands Ecoregion. Elevation varies from 200 - 580 metres. The western portion (located in the Southern Uplands Ecoregion) contains the highest elevations and the most rugged terrain. There is a gradual transition from the rugged terrain of the western side to the lower elevation on the eastern side (located in the Valley Lowlands Ecoregion). Here gentler landscapes consist of ridges and valleys. Forest cover consists of tolerant hardwoods on the hilltops. In lower elevations, balsam fir, intolerant hardwood and spruce are found. Jack pine and white pine grow in a dry, rocky area in the centre of the site. Black spruce and eastern cedar occupy wetter areas. The site contains a large boulder field, a portion of which was recently burned. The Plaster Rock-Renous highway forms part of the site's southern boundary. Two areas within the Kennedy Lakes site will continue to be harvested until 2012. After this, no further harvesting will occur.