| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.46 |
| Liaison | Bradley Flamm |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Bradley
Flamm Director of Sustainability Office of the President |
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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?:
No
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
The Robert B. Gordon Natural Area for Environmental Studies (also referred to as 'the Gordon' and ‘the GNA’) occupies approximately 126 acres along the southeastern corner of West Chester University’s campus and is administered in collaboration with the University’s Office of Sustainability. Established as a protected area in 1971, the GNA has since served as a refuge for local wildlife and native plants, and as a multi-use setting for researchers, nature lovers, runners, dog walkers, and people looking to reconnect with the natural world.
In 2014 the Gordon Natural Area was designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a ‘Wild Plant Sanctuary.’ However, this designation does not afford any protection to the Gordon.
In 2014 the Gordon Natural Area was designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a ‘Wild Plant Sanctuary.’ However, this designation does not afford any protection to the Gordon.
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:
All data are from the University’s ‘Robert B. Gordon Natural Area for Environmental Studies’ (referred to henceforth as ‘the Gordon’). A description of the Gordon is given in the next section. All IUCN data were downloaded on 2/10/2020.
• Birds: All 125 species of birds known for the Gordon have been assessed by the IUCN. Of these 125 species, all but five species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ These five species are: Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata): Near Threatened; Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica): Vulnerable; Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula): Near Threatened; Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi): Near Threatened; and, Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina): Near Threatened. Additionally, four avian species known for the Gordon are included in the Pennsylvania Game Commissions list of Threatened and Endangered species: Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata): Endangered; Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus): Threatened; and, Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus): Recovered.
• Bryophytes: At this point, there are no IUCN Global assessments for any of the 28 species of Bryophytes known for the Gordon. Any species that were assessed, had been assessed regarding their status in Europe. Because at least a couple of bryophytes at the Gordon that are extremely common in the eastern US were listed having some degree of vulnerability in Europe, it did not seem useful to apply any of the European rankings to the Gordon’s bryophytes.
• Fungi: At this time, 289 ‘taxa’ of fungi known for the Gordon. Of these, 282 have been identified to the level of species and therefore can be included in IUCN assessments. Of these 282 species, just five species (1.8%) have been assessed by the IUCN. Of these five species, three had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ The remaining two species—Violet Coral (Clavaria zollingeri) and Orange Polypore (Hapalopilus croceus)—had an assessment status of ‘Vulnerable.’
• Herptiles (Amphibians and Reptiles): All 18 species of herptiles known for the Gordon have been assessed by the IUCN. All but one of the 18 species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ The remaining species, the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), had an assessment status of ‘Vulnerable.’ Two species, the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) and Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri), have a state-ranking of ‘G3G4’ (Vulnerable-Apparently Secure) by the Pennsylvania State Natural Heritage Program.
• Invertebrates: At this time, 173 ‘taxa’ of invertebrates have been noted at the Gordon. Of these, 87 species have been identified to the level of species, and therefore can be included in IUCN assessments. Of these 87 species, just six (6.9%) have been assessed by the IUCN. All six of these species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’
• Mammals: All 12 species of mammals known for the Gordon have been assessed by the IUCN. All species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’
• Vascular Plants: Of the 632 species of vascular plants that have been noted at the Gordon, just slightly more than a quarter (164 species; 26.0%) have been assessed by the IUCN. Of these 164 species, all but five species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ These five species are: Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Lower Risk/Least Concern; American Chestnut (Castanea dentata): Critically Endangered; White Ash (Fraxinus americana): Critically Endangered); Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica): Critically Endangered; and, Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): Vulnerable. Two additional vascular plant species, Wild Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Tuckerman's Panic-grass (Panicum tuckermanii) are ranked by NatureServe as being globally vulnerable. Wild Ginseng possesses a global ranking of ‘G3G4’ (Vulnerable-Apparently Secure), while Tuckerman’s Panic Grass is ranked ‘G3-G5’ (Vulnerable-Secure).
• Birds: All 125 species of birds known for the Gordon have been assessed by the IUCN. Of these 125 species, all but five species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ These five species are: Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata): Near Threatened; Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica): Vulnerable; Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula): Near Threatened; Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi): Near Threatened; and, Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina): Near Threatened. Additionally, four avian species known for the Gordon are included in the Pennsylvania Game Commissions list of Threatened and Endangered species: Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata): Endangered; Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus): Threatened; and, Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus): Recovered.
• Bryophytes: At this point, there are no IUCN Global assessments for any of the 28 species of Bryophytes known for the Gordon. Any species that were assessed, had been assessed regarding their status in Europe. Because at least a couple of bryophytes at the Gordon that are extremely common in the eastern US were listed having some degree of vulnerability in Europe, it did not seem useful to apply any of the European rankings to the Gordon’s bryophytes.
• Fungi: At this time, 289 ‘taxa’ of fungi known for the Gordon. Of these, 282 have been identified to the level of species and therefore can be included in IUCN assessments. Of these 282 species, just five species (1.8%) have been assessed by the IUCN. Of these five species, three had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ The remaining two species—Violet Coral (Clavaria zollingeri) and Orange Polypore (Hapalopilus croceus)—had an assessment status of ‘Vulnerable.’
• Herptiles (Amphibians and Reptiles): All 18 species of herptiles known for the Gordon have been assessed by the IUCN. All but one of the 18 species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ The remaining species, the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), had an assessment status of ‘Vulnerable.’ Two species, the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) and Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri), have a state-ranking of ‘G3G4’ (Vulnerable-Apparently Secure) by the Pennsylvania State Natural Heritage Program.
• Invertebrates: At this time, 173 ‘taxa’ of invertebrates have been noted at the Gordon. Of these, 87 species have been identified to the level of species, and therefore can be included in IUCN assessments. Of these 87 species, just six (6.9%) have been assessed by the IUCN. All six of these species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’
• Mammals: All 12 species of mammals known for the Gordon have been assessed by the IUCN. All species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’
• Vascular Plants: Of the 632 species of vascular plants that have been noted at the Gordon, just slightly more than a quarter (164 species; 26.0%) have been assessed by the IUCN. Of these 164 species, all but five species had an assessment status of ‘Least Concern.’ These five species are: Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Lower Risk/Least Concern; American Chestnut (Castanea dentata): Critically Endangered; White Ash (Fraxinus americana): Critically Endangered); Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica): Critically Endangered; and, Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): Vulnerable. Two additional vascular plant species, Wild Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Tuckerman's Panic-grass (Panicum tuckermanii) are ranked by NatureServe as being globally vulnerable. Wild Ginseng possesses a global ranking of ‘G3G4’ (Vulnerable-Apparently Secure), while Tuckerman’s Panic Grass is ranked ‘G3-G5’ (Vulnerable-Secure).
Areas of biodiversity importance
Yes
A brief description of areas of biodiversity importance on land owned or managed by the institution:
The Gordon Natural Area (39°56'8.52" N, 75°35'55.68" W, ~140 m asl) is located in Chester County, Pennsylvania on the campus of West Chester University, and its borders encompass approximately 126 acres (51 ha) across three townships. The majority of the land area is in West Goshen Township, with smaller portions in East Bradford and Westtown Townships. Established as a protected area in 1971, the Gordon has since contributed to a growing network of protected open space in Chester County, with significant economic, environmental, and recreational benefits for the community.
The Gordon is administered in collaboration with the University’s Office of Sustainability. A variety of habitats comprise the GNA, including deciduous forest, forested floodplains and streams, a small serpentine barren, and land undergoing restoration (native reforestation and early successional meadow). This land is bordered by WCU’s athletic fields, as well as suburban development. A majority of the Gordon’s land is under forest cover, and the largest portion of the forest is approximately 80 acres. This patch of forest is embedded within a larger ~90-acre forest fragment, the remainder of which is privately owned by different individuals.
The westernmost portion of the Gordon Natural Area (an approximately 51 ha area owned and protected by West Chester University contains a small serpentine barren (Global Conservation Status Rank G2: Imperiled Globally).
The Gordon is administered in collaboration with the University’s Office of Sustainability. A variety of habitats comprise the GNA, including deciduous forest, forested floodplains and streams, a small serpentine barren, and land undergoing restoration (native reforestation and early successional meadow). This land is bordered by WCU’s athletic fields, as well as suburban development. A majority of the Gordon’s land is under forest cover, and the largest portion of the forest is approximately 80 acres. This patch of forest is embedded within a larger ~90-acre forest fragment, the remainder of which is privately owned by different individuals.
The westernmost portion of the Gordon Natural Area (an approximately 51 ha area owned and protected by West Chester University contains a small serpentine barren (Global Conservation Status Rank G2: Imperiled Globally).
Methodologies
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
The Gordon has served as a living laboratory for WCU faculty and students since its establishment. Within the last ten years, active research projects have been led by faculty in Anthropology and Sociology, Biology, Earth and Space Science, Environmental Health, and Geography and Planning. Research projects are diverse and include archaeological digs, vegetation, soils and bedrock surveys, assessment of carbon stocks, quantification of the soil seed bank, monitoring for the non-native Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), and measurements of stream water quality. Much of the research performed in the GNA includes WCU undergraduate and graduate students, who regularly present their findings at WCU’s College of the Sciences and Mathematics Research Day, the University-wide Research Day, and regional conferences such as the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting and the Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium at St. Joseph’s University. WCU faculty lead weekly avian forays in the Gordon during the spring and fall (with sporadically-timed forays during the other times of the year). Three site-wide floristic surveys have been undertaken in the Gordon during 1984, 2007, and 2018.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
Research and monitoring of the flora and fauna in the GNA have been an area of recent focus by Stewardship Manager Nur Ritter and the GNA’s student interns, as these activities directly support effective management of the area. One substantial example of this work is the compilation of a comprehensive vascular plant checklist for the GNA that incorporates herbarium specimens and historical records, as well as ancillary data for the species present including allelopathic potential, ant dispersal, utility to beneficial insects, deer resistance, and life history information. Checklists now also exist for birds, bryophytes, fungi and myxomycetes (i.e., slime molds), herptiles (i.e., amphibians and reptiles), invertebrates, and mammals. Other significant research led by GNA staff includes early detection monitoring and biological control efforts associated with the non-native Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis).
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
Populations of ‘noteworthy’ plant species that are susceptible to browse are fitted with exclosures (either small, single-plant ‘cages’, or larger fenced exclosures for multiple plants). State-listed species are mapped and monitored. Student interns are trained to recognize species of interest and any new occurrences are mapped.
Optional Fields
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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:
Data Provided by: Nur Ritter, Gordon Natural Area Stewardship Manager, nritter@wcupa.edu, 610-436-2722.
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.