The rocky heathlands of western Nova Scotia cover some 31 000 ha of coarse, bouldery ortstein podzol of granitic origin. The shrubby vegetation, dominated byGaylussaciabaccata, is closely correlated with topographic position and depth of soil over the impenetrable pan.Pollen analysis suggests that the area has, for many centuries, been a very open woodland and that the present community is a reflection of soil poverty as well as of periodic burning.Because the site is so unproductive it is suggested that wilderness recreation is the best land use.