| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.13 |
| Liaison | Traci Knabenshue |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2021 |
West Virginia University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
Michael
Boyce Forest Manager Forestry and Natural Resources |
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:
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:
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:
An inventory was conducted in 2000 at the University Forest but this was restricted to tree species.
There is a 22 acre old-growth hemlock forest on the southeastern edge of the property. This area is excluded from harvest activities. Additionally, there are two additional reference areas that are currently ~100 yr second growth forests.
These are dedicated as non-management areas.
One other area is Little Laurel Run, which supports an increasing brook trout population. Liming treatments applied on the upper tributaries within the forest have improved water quality enough to host this sensitive fish species.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
The Hemlock Trail is sampled during periodic forest-wide surveys. The streams are sampled yearly by the WV Department of Natural Resources staff.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
No formal surveys have been conducted to identify endangered or threatened species.
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
About 700 acres of forests are considered reference or as no management areas. These areas are restricted from active forest management, and allowed to develop into long-lived forest communities.
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:
9% was calculated if reserve areas qualify as areas of biodiversity importance.
9% was calculated if reserve areas qualify as areas of biodiversity importance.
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.