| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.65 |
| Liaison | Laura Bain |
| Submission Date | Jan. 19, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Furman University
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Laura
Bain Associate Director of Sustainability Assessment David E. Shi Center for Sustainability |
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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, and/or regions of conservation importance?:
Yes
A brief description of the legally protected areas, internationally recognized areas, priority sites for biodiversity, and/or regions of conservation importance:
Sagittaria fasciculata, known as bunched arrowhead, is a federally protected small herbaceous plant that grows in wetlands. It grows about 15 inches tall and blooms mid-May through July. The bunched arrowhead only grows in seepage soils, particularly in the Piedmont seepage forest ecosystem. This habitat has been largely destroyed due to development and agriculture. Today it exists in a few places in Greenville County, including Furman University’s campus and several locations in Traveler’s Rest. Furman maintains a protected area home to the Bunched Arrowhead. The protected area has a viewing deck and signage for educational purposes.
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?:
Yes
Has the institution conducted an assessment or assessments to identify environmentally sensitive areas on institution-owned or –managed land?:
Yes
If yes to either of the above, provide the following:
Biology faculty, students, and classes regularly study campus species and conduct biodiversity surveys on campus. For example, an ecology class conducted a survey of songbird populations in three vegetation zones that now occur around the lake: mowed lawns, regrown vegetation, and the restored wildflower meadows.
An online inventory of Lepidoptera species listings is maintained by retired Furman professor, Dr. John Snyder and an online inventory of dragonflies and damselflies is maintained by Dr. Wade Worthen.
A field guide to the Furman Habitat was published in 2001 and an online inventory of general biodiversity at Furman is maintained by Biology professor, Dr. Wade Worthen.
A brief description of identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
The Furman campus consists of a mixture of forest, lawn, stream, and lake, which produces a mosaic of habitats supporting a wide range of species. The campus is also home to numerous migrating and hibernating species which are seasonally characteristic of the South Carolina Piedmont region. Three hundred campus trees of 64 species have been identified and labeled for public viewing. More than 400 species of vertebrates have been named, as well as 30 species in the order Odonata and 44 Lepidoteran species.
Sagittaria fasciculata, known as bunched arrowhead, is a federally protected small herbaceous plant that grows in wetlands. It grows about 15 inches tall and blooms mid-May through July. The bunched arrowhead only grows in seepage soils, particularly in the Piedmont seepage forest ecosystem. This habitat has been largely destroyed due to development and agriculture. Today it exists in a few places in Greenville County, including Furman University’s campus and several locations in Traveler’s Rest. Furman maintains a protected area home to the Bunched Arrowhead. The protected area has a viewing deck and signage for educational purposes.
A brief description of plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats and/or environmentally sensitive areas:
Through the Campus Trees committee, faculty, grounds staff, and students come together multiple times each year to discuss campus habitat management and associated educational outreach. Particular attention is paid to preserving and increasing native plant species and forested areas, including the protected areas home to the Bunched Arrowhead plant. The Bunched Arrowhead is protected by a 1981 agreement between Furman and the SCDNR Heritage Trust Program.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
http://facweb.furman.edu/~snyderjohn/furmanleps/index.htm
http://eweb.furman.edu/~wworthen/fuhab/futitle.htm
http://eweb.furman.edu/~wworthen/dflies/gville/fulist.htm
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.