| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 36.72 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Abernathy |
| Submission Date | July 17, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Mississippi
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Scott
Knight Field Station Director Biological Field Station |
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:
Oxford is in the North American Coastal Plain, which is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. This is an area of high conservation concern due to the decline in once common species and many endangered species. Oxford is also adjacent to the Upper Sardis Wildlife Management Area, which is identified as a category V in International Union for Conservation of Nature management; Holly Springs National Forest; and the Tallahatchie Experimental Forest.
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:
Researchers at the field station have assessed the property and produced field guides to the Field Station's reptiles and amphibians and butterflies. The Field Station has identified several species that are threatened, endangered or of special concern on the property (see attachment). Drift fences and pit fall traps were utilized in some of this research, as were observations.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
See the attachment for a list of threatened, endangered and special concern species at the UM Field Station.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
One of the Field Station's primary functions is to protect and positively affect identified species, habitats and environmentally sensitive areas, as evidenced in the mission statement: "The mission of the University of Mississippi Field Station is to foster ecosystem stewardship by providing a natural laboratory and infrastructure for research, education and service, and by cultivating scientific information and understanding of upland watersheds in the lower Mississippi River Basin and similar habitats." UM Field Station faculty consider the entire property to be environmentally sensitive due to shallow groundwater.
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.