| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.50 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Goree |
| Submission Date | June 17, 2024 |
Clemson University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Tommy
Fallaw Director of Landscape Services Clemson University Facilities |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, or regions of conservation importance?:
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
Consistent with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Protected areas include areas managed mainly for, in part: Conservation through active management (i.e., Habitat/species management area) and Sustainable use of natural resources (i.e., Managed resource protected area)
The Clemson Experimental Forest’s (CEF) 17,500 acres are dedicated to education, research and demonstration in order to better understand and manage forest resources for the benefit of society. These essential resources include clean air, clean water, pleasing aesthetic qualities, abundant wildlife, protection of species and habitat diversity, recreation opportunities, along with commodity products from the forest. The forest is managed strictly for perpetual sustained or improved yield of these products. The Clemson Experimental Forest personnel, equipment, supplies, roads, recreation facilities and maintenance are solely supported by revenue generated by the Forest.
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Has the institution conducted an assessment to identify areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution?:
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
Objective 4-Conservation of Biological Diversity: A Natural Resource Area Inventory and Guidelines evaluation and program was developed in 2008, and CEF is highly sensitive to the conservation of biological diversity. It has established a very diverse forest, maintained and enhanced on the old, eroded farmland which made up the majority of the property when it was obtained in 1934. Field observations indicated that harvests were very modest in size. Their Management Plan limits clearcuts to 50 acres or less, but they are usually much smaller. Stand level wildlife habitat elements were maintained or developed in all stands audited. The CEF GIS program documents each stand by cover type and age class. There is a single federally listed plant, Smooth Coneflower (Endangered – G2G3) previously known to occur on the property, but has not been found to date. A management plan was developed. CEF has gathered and mapped ecologically significant wetlands on its ownership in their GIS. CEF is well aware of non-native invasive species. Kudzu has been mostly eradicated from the property, but kudzu still exist and shows up occasionally which will be controlled with herbicide during future chemical spot treatments and site preparation. CEF is a contributor and member of the South Carolina Exotic Pest Council. CEF is aware of the role of natural disturbances to forest health. They use prescribed burning on a limited basis. Clemson has gathered and mapped potential occurrences of FECVs suspected to occur on or near its ownership.
Objective 6-Protection of Special Sites: A natural resources inventory was performed in 2008 to identify ecologically important sites and provide management recommendations. A 2013 study was performed to identify or confirm historical and cultural sites. These are mapped in the GIS. Clemson works with the SC DNR to provide proper management some of these special sites. One special site, an historical home site, was within a harvesting operation and confirmed to be well protected. CEF has access to NatureServe and state Heritage data for management planning.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
In 2022, The Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF) underwent a complete Re-certification Audit by the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI). The audit met multiple objectives including; Forest Management Planning, Forest Health and Productivity, Protection and Maintenance of Water Resources, Conservation of Biological Diversity and Protection of Special Sites. A copy of the report is available;
The audit scope was “forest management”, and the audit objectives were to determine conformance of the organization’s SFI program against the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard, and to determine whether the organization’s SFI management system and on-the-ground activities conform to the SFIS. Objectives 1-17 were audited, and no additional or modified Indicators were used. The surveillance audit was conducted under environmental auditing methodologies identified in the audit procedures section of the SFI 2022 Standards and Rules document. Standard protocols and forms as found in the Bureau Veritas Certification SFI Auditor Handbook and auditor website were applied throughout the verification.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
The scope of this assessment was completely limited to the Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF). A map of these areas will be provided in the supporting materials section.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Although CEF had all requested documentation it was evident that their data / information collection system was antiquated and cumbersome at best; some information / data was collected by paper and pen and stored in old filing cabinets, while others were maintained in electronic databases (G.I.S.). It appeared that very little information was being collected using data recorders and cloud based storage. However; CEF appears to be trying some of this out (Survey 123). By developing a consistent methodology / system of documentation and storage overlooking issues in the future may be alleviated and errors prevented. -7- Bureau Veritas Certification SFI 2022 Forest Management Audit Report –Dec. 2021 V1.1 Their current management plan is an amalgamation of the original plan, edits, and updates to meet new SFI standards as they arise (some data could be updated). By completely rewriting the plan and ensuring all data, graphs, charts, etc is current, and by directly addressing all current SFI standards pertinent facts and information should be easily utilized. The surveillance audit was conducted to determine if Clemson’s forest management system meets the requirements of the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard. The field audit consisted of a review of thinnings, chemical site prep, one special site, tree planting, prescribed burn, and. Document review, interviews and field reviews indicate that CEF is doing an excellent job of managing its forest, and continues to implement an effective SFI program.
Estimated percentage of areas of biodiversity importance that are also protected areas :
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.