| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.15 |
| Liaison | Laura Young |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2022 |
Michigan State University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Laura
Young Sustainability Program Coordinator Administration-EVP-Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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?:
Yes
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
MSU has a diversity of woodlands and wetlands located on campus properties, totaling more than 700 acres across 25 distinct sites. These Campus Natural Areas (CNAs) provide important examples of our rich natural heritage and represent significant resources for teaching, research, demonstration and nature appreciation. One of MSU's natural areas, Toumey Woodlot, was placed on the National Park Service Register of Natural Landmarks in 1976. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-mfs-formsguidance-Landmarks_526414_7.pdf.
Toumey Woodlot is a 24 acre old-growth beech maple forest. The old-growth forest covers approximately 13.5 acres with an additional 10.5 acres of buffer primarily on the southeast corner. Originally acquired by the Bennett family in 1852, the woodlot was maintained in a relatively undisturbed state. It was acquired by Michigan State University from the Frank Bennett estate in 1939, and fenced to prevent future disturbance. Generally regarded as an old-growth forest, the woods has been the subject of Forestry Department-sponsored studies initiated in 1940, with observations in permanent quadrats at 10-year intervals. The most important tree species are sugar maple, beech, basswood, black cherry, white ash, and red oak. A permanent pond is located on the east side.
For more information about all of MSU's natural areas within the East Lasing campus, refer to https://campusnaturalareas.msu.edu/.
Toumey Woodlot is a 24 acre old-growth beech maple forest. The old-growth forest covers approximately 13.5 acres with an additional 10.5 acres of buffer primarily on the southeast corner. Originally acquired by the Bennett family in 1852, the woodlot was maintained in a relatively undisturbed state. It was acquired by Michigan State University from the Frank Bennett estate in 1939, and fenced to prevent future disturbance. Generally regarded as an old-growth forest, the woods has been the subject of Forestry Department-sponsored studies initiated in 1940, with observations in permanent quadrats at 10-year intervals. The most important tree species are sugar maple, beech, basswood, black cherry, white ash, and red oak. A permanent pond is located on the east side.
For more information about all of MSU's natural areas within the East Lasing campus, refer to https://campusnaturalareas.msu.edu/.
Endangered and vulnerable species
Yes
A list of endangered and vulnerable species with habitats on land owned or managed by the institution, by level of extinction risk:
Critically endangered (IUCN Redlist 3.1): Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pensylvanica
Endangered (IUCN Redlist 3.1): Juglans cinerea
Endangered (State of Michigan): Mertensia virginica
Threatened (State of Michigan): Carex typhina, Diarrhena obovata, Hydrastis canadensis, Lycopus virginicus, Panax quinquefolius
Special concern (State of Michigan): Betula populifolia, Carex davisii, Hybanthus concolor
For definitions related to State of Michigan classifications, visit: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/definitions-laws
Endangered (IUCN Redlist 3.1): Juglans cinerea
Endangered (State of Michigan): Mertensia virginica
Threatened (State of Michigan): Carex typhina, Diarrhena obovata, Hydrastis canadensis, Lycopus virginicus, Panax quinquefolius
Special concern (State of Michigan): Betula populifolia, Carex davisii, Hybanthus concolor
For definitions related to State of Michigan classifications, visit: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/definitions-laws
Areas of biodiversity importance
Yes
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
The Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary, part of Baker Woodlot, provides shelter, food and water for migratory birds such as the red-winged black bird and the northern cardinal. The Baker Woodlot was found to be a “high-quality beech-maple forest” in a 2020 flora assessment conducted by the Prather Lab within MSU’s Plant Biology Department (https://doi.org/10.3119/20-13). This forest type is an important marker for biodiversity in Michigan. However, the study also found that native species were declining the woodlot. The Toumey Woodlot and Hudson Natural Area both had bio-inventories completed in 2021. These assessments, along with publications and reports for all other MSU Natural Areas, can be found on the Campus Natural Areas website by selecting a site from the list: https://campusnaturalareas.msu.edu/Natural-Areas-List. Per the most recent Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern Plant Survey conducted by the MSU Herbarium in 2021, five natural areas have documented cases of either IUCN redlist species or species listed as special concern, threatened or endangered in Michigan. The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden, the oldest continuously operated university botanical garden of its kind in the U.S., also has a conservation garden of species listed as Threatened or Endangered in Michigan with about 15 species represented and protected.
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
Methodologies include monitoring occurrence records and active surveys in the growing seasons. Student research interns typically help support the surveying efforts, working with staff and faculty. Several published papers or reports are referenced on the campus naturals website to further detail methodologies.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
All Natural Areas are monitored at least once every two years.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Campus Natural Areas are protected by ordinance, by the Master Plan, and by oversight committees to ensure the natural areas and the campus arboretum are preserved.
Stewardship of the Campus Natural Areas is overseen by the Campus Natural Areas Classroom, Curriculum and Conservation Committee (CNA3C). This advisory group consists of faculty and staff representing an array of disciplines and expertise in natural science and resource management. The CNA3C is responsible for establishing policies and guidelines to preserve Campus Natural Areas for future generations. This includes protecting native biodiversity, sustainable management of resources within the natural areas,and balancing activities proposed for specific natural areas with conservation objectives. CNA3C does not allow collecting of endangered or vulnerable species, nor does it allow invasive research or other activities in their proximity. Diseased, cultivated specimens of Juglans cinerea in proximity to "wild" trees have been removed. Natural areas are protected from development and allowed activities are limited. Permits are required for research or other activities.
Board of Trustees Ordinance 24.00 Plant Materials states that "No person shall break or cut branches or flowers or fruit, or otherwise damage or mutilate any tree, shrub, herbaceous plant, or flower upon property governed by the Board of Trustees, or remove from the same any identification tag or sign. Plant samples for teaching and research may be collected from University property in Ingham County with a permit issued by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees or his or her designee.
The MSU Master Plan includes a map of protected green spaces and directly references the preservation and protection of natural areas.
MSU's Tree Management Plan includes multiple actions that protect tree species on campus, as described in Credit OP 9: Landscape Management. This includes a tree replacement policy which established guidelines for one-for-one or equivalent replacement of trees removed from the current campus urban forest inventory. https://ipf.msu.edu/sites/default/files/2020-04/msu-tree-management-plan-2020.pdf
Stewardship of the Campus Natural Areas is overseen by the Campus Natural Areas Classroom, Curriculum and Conservation Committee (CNA3C). This advisory group consists of faculty and staff representing an array of disciplines and expertise in natural science and resource management. The CNA3C is responsible for establishing policies and guidelines to preserve Campus Natural Areas for future generations. This includes protecting native biodiversity, sustainable management of resources within the natural areas,and balancing activities proposed for specific natural areas with conservation objectives. CNA3C does not allow collecting of endangered or vulnerable species, nor does it allow invasive research or other activities in their proximity. Diseased, cultivated specimens of Juglans cinerea in proximity to "wild" trees have been removed. Natural areas are protected from development and allowed activities are limited. Permits are required for research or other activities.
Board of Trustees Ordinance 24.00 Plant Materials states that "No person shall break or cut branches or flowers or fruit, or otherwise damage or mutilate any tree, shrub, herbaceous plant, or flower upon property governed by the Board of Trustees, or remove from the same any identification tag or sign. Plant samples for teaching and research may be collected from University property in Ingham County with a permit issued by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees or his or her designee.
The MSU Master Plan includes a map of protected green spaces and directly references the preservation and protection of natural areas.
MSU's Tree Management Plan includes multiple actions that protect tree species on campus, as described in Credit OP 9: Landscape Management. This includes a tree replacement policy which established guidelines for one-for-one or equivalent replacement of trees removed from the current campus urban forest inventory. https://ipf.msu.edu/sites/default/files/2020-04/msu-tree-management-plan-2020.pdf
Optional Fields
90
Website URL where information about the institution’s biodiversity initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://herbarium.natsci.msu.edu/
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.