Disjunct populations may be critical to a species' future survival. Isolated populations often live in conditions that are very different from those of their parent population.  Whenever a group of animals or plants is separated from its core population for several generations, it often develops genetic differences.  These differences can be reflected in the physical make-up of the organisms, making them different from others of the species.  Being different can allow populations to respond to changes in the environment, perhaps more successfully than the parent population.

The ability to adapt to change may mean the difference between a species' survival or its extinction. Disjunct populations, then, serve as potential genetic "safety valves".  Species with disjunct populations are more able to adapt to environmental changes.  In addition to the coastal plain flora, the Blanding's turtle and ribbon snake are other examples of disjunct species in Nova Scotia.