| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.27 |
| Liaison | Juanita Van Norman |
| Submission Date | Aug. 16, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Manitoba
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Christie
Nairn Director Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution own or manage land that includes or is adjacent to legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/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:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify endangered and vulnerable species (including migratory species) with habitats on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or environmentally sensitive areas (including most recent year assessed) and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The University of Manitoba's Office of Sustainability hired an external consultant in 2017 to complete a Biodiversity Baseline Study and Assessment. The objectives of the study included:
- Document baseline conditions of the riparian forest areas and identify vegetative communities, habitat sustainability and the fauna supported
- Document non-native and invasive species
- Document ecological factors influencing the health of the riparian forest
- Document vegetation traditionally used for medicine, subsistence and cultural purposes by First Nation peoples
- Contribute recommendations for maintenance and (phased) naturalization and plantings
- Contribute to the identification and implementation of environmental protection measures to avoid or minimize effects to vegetation, particularly to federally and provincially listed plant species of conservation concern.
The study included two surveys, one a Formal Nested Quadrat Sample Plot and the other a Plant Data Collection survey.
The consultant suggested the forest should be monitored annually to ensure corrective measures are addressed as needed. Monitoring is recommended to be completed by an experienced surveyor capable of identifying invasive weeds and symptoms of pests and disease. The primary maintenance that is required of the riparian forest is weed and invasive species control which includes management of weeds in adjacent areas.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The Riparian areas at the Fort Garry Campus - Point Lands and South Wood Lands, Glenlea Research Station, and the Ian N. Morrision Research Farm are identified as environmentally sensitive areas. The urban forested areas on the Fort Garry campus are more populated by non-native species than the rural areas are. Specifically, the 2017 Biodiversity study identified False Indigo (Amorpha Fruiticosa) as a species of concern in the river bottom forest area at the Glenea Research Station. Green Ash was also identified as a major component of the Riparian canopy dominating the Elm likely due to loss from Dutch Elm Disease.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Recommendations provided to the University by the hired consultant investigating biodiversity in the Riparian Forest on the University's campus, were to take aggressive steps towards the removal of European buckthorn and Canada thistle from all assessment areas. Multiple years of routine weed management will be required in the investigated areas and adjacent areas.
The website URL where information about the programs or 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.