| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.70 |
| Liaison | Tracey Coronado |
| Submission Date | April 5, 2021 |
Missouri State University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Doug
Neidigh Sustainability Coordinator Environmental Management |
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:
The Bull Shoals Field Station (BSFS) is within the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Drury Wildlife Conservation Area. This is a protected area and managed by MDC. MSU conducts research/monitoring on migratory birds, plants, and mammals. This area is also within an Audubon Society Important Bird Area – the WHITE RIVER GLADES AND WOODLANDS IBA - Drury-Mincy Conservation Area. This are has conservation targets which include Swainson's Warbler, Bachman's Sparrow, Kentucky Warbler, and Prothonotary Warbler. MSU is involved in the restoration of giant river cane for the Swainson’s Warbler, in cooperation with MDC.
The landscape of the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area is typical of the White River Glade Region of the Ozark Mountains, with steep hills dissected by numerous streams. The karst topography has many caves, sinks, and springs. The area is deeply wooded with oak-hickory forest and post-oak savanna, and has extensive bluestem balds (dolomite glades). The glades are considered a unique feature and comprise 35% of the area. The Drury-Mincy Conservation Area also includes two permanent streams and 20 permanent ponds.
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:
Prothonotary Warbler
Kentucky warbler
Black Vultures (vulnerable in the state),
Roadrunner (vulnerable in the state)
Cerulean Warbler (vulnerable/apparently secure in the state)
Gray bats (Myotis grisescens, federally listed)
Trepocarpus aethusae (whitenymph) - state listed
Tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus, under consideration for listing)
Northern Long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis, federally threatened)
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:
The glades have thin soils and are dominated by grasses and numerous wild flowers, and contain five endemic species. The savannas have a prairie-like herbaceous understory similar in composition to the glade communities. A sinkhole pond marsh (pond #2) contains the rare manna grass. Other rare and endangered species include giant cane and running buffalo clover.
Common wildlife include deer, wild turkey, migratory waterfowl, and armadillos. The area also includes the alligator snapping turtle and the greater roadrunner. A wide variety of lizards and snakes live on the glades. Federally listed endangered species include the gray myotis bat. Nesting bald eagles are also found.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
MSU has conducted surveys of woody and herbaceous plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. We actively monitor migratory birds with the banding program, Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS).
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Yearly surveys of plants and mammals are also conducted by classes and by individual researchers. Assessments cover the Bull Shoals Field Station land and Drury Wildlife Conservation Area. Surveys may also include the Mincy CA conservation area that is adjacent to land owned and managed by MSU. The Mincy area is adjacent to MSU land and is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Areas that were excluded from the survey include property surrounding academic/administrative buildings and residential life buildings.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
In the absence of fire, the savannas have been invaded by a variety of fire-sensitive woody species, resulting in a closed canopy, and glades have been invaded by red cedars. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is currently restoring these communities with a combination of cedar removal and prescribed burns. In addition, part of a week-long academy for high school students that we host, student work with MDC to restore giant cane populations along Mincy Creek.
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.