Williams College
OP-10: Biodiversity
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Drew
Jones Hopkins Forest Manager Center for Environmental Studies |
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:
The entire 2620-acre Hopkins Memorial Forest is recognized by local and regional conservation organizations as priority forest habitat; along with several protected public and private parcels, it forms a nearly contiguous wooded corridor along the Taconic Range from southern Vermont to Connecticut.
Several areas within the forest have been identified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as priority areas for conservation. These include several first order stream corridors and small wooded wetlands, as well as habitats for several upland plant species, including wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and crooked-stem aster (Symphiotrichum prenanthoides). Most of the rare upland plant habitat occupies lower elevation sites (below 1200 feet) with enrichment from the marble bedrock that underlies the Hoosic River Valley. Several small wooded ponds (“vernal pools”) have been identified and certified with the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program. In the case of two of the pools, we have found a state protected (“Special Concern”) vertebrate, the Jefferson’s Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum). We also own an enriched thermal spring and fen at the lower end of the forest, which harbors some interesting, though not “endangered” plant species.
One area of concern on the core campus is Cole Field sports fields, which is a wetlands resource area. This area is a floodplain which extends extensively across the site. In addition, the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program have mapped areas on Cole Field as Priority Habitat. According to the MA Natural Heritage Atlas published in 2017, this mapping is for the Hairy-Fruited Sedge (Carex trichocarpa), a species currently of special concern in Massachusetts that occupies areas of this subject parcel.
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:
Jefferson’s salamander (Ambysotma jeffersonianum) in Hopkins Forest.
Hairy honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta) found at two locations at Pine Cobble
Hairy fruited sedge(Carex trichocarpa) found at lower Cole field. It is a species of special concern.
Crooked stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) is found at Mt Hope Farm. The species is listed as threatened.
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:
Cole Field has been designated as a Wetland Resource Area by the state of Massachusetts which contains Hairy-Fruited Sedge, a species of concern by NHESP.
Hopkins Forest and its surrounding wooded tracts have been identified by the Nature Conservancy and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as priority core forest habitat through their BioMap program. In terms of forest stand level research, we have been monitoring 400 permanent vegetation plots, some going back to the 1930s (originally established by the U.S. Forest Service). These plots are all surveyed on an approximate 15 year rotation and this allows us to detect changes in the forest composition over time; track declines and gains on the species level; and make climate related correlations with these and other biometric variables.
Additionally, annual breeding bird point counts in June allow us to monitor trends in many species of forest interior (and edge) songbirds; we have identified more than 50 breeding species of birds in the forest and 130 species that use or visit the forest throughout the year. In collaboration with local birding groups, volunteers conduct annual Christmas bird counts that help us to keep track of avian populations beyond the breeding season.
The methodologies used to identify endangered and vulnerable species and/or areas of biodiversity importance and any ongoing assessment and monitoring mechanisms:
Monitoring of the hairy honeysuckle last took place in 2017 which they have found to be in decline due to increasing canopy cover. In 2019 the DEM sent a team of workers to remove trees in these two areas at Pine Cobble to open up the canopy and increase sunlight to the forest floor.
Monitoring of the crooked stem aster last took place in 2012. This area is undeveloped and was used for horse grazing at one time.
Monitoring of the hairy fruited sedge is ongoing by the state.
It has been a few years since we have monitored many of the rare species on the property including crooked-stem aster, wild ginseng, the Jefferson’s salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) using pitfall/drift fence arrays, and wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), via radio tracking. Since then we have focused on tracking the status of breeding mourning warblers (Oporornis philadelphia) and Eastern towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in the higher elevations of the forest using ad-hoc surveys and point counts. It was with these species and others -- including the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transtitionalis), and smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) -- in mind, that we created more early successional habitat on 11 acres near the top of the Taconic Range in the early 2010s. We continue to informally/opportunistically monitor these sites for any changes in the numbers of these and other species of interest.
A brief description of the scope of the assessment(s):
See above
A brief description of the plans or programs in place to protect or positively affect identified species, habitats, and/or ecosystems:
In terms of invasive species: we have a 23 year study that targets the population dynamics of garlic mustard (Allaria petiolata) at three sites in Hopkins Forest. We are looking at the interplay between this introduced biennial and some native herbs that grow in its midst. A second study, in a tree acre field has begun to monitor the trends in fine non-native invasive species over four experimental treatment types. The expansion of Asiatic bittersweet (Calastrus orbiculatus) at these sites has been especially palpable. In some cases, where it does not interfere with ongoing research and is deemed manageable, we have taken measures to remove this and other invasive species, notable Eurasian shrub honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), and two pieces of buckthorn (Rhamnus). We are also keeping our eye on invasive Norway maple (Acer platanoides), with a determination to keep this weedy tree away from native stands of sugar maple where feasible.
On the ecosystem level, we have identified several sensitive or locally uncommon habitats -- including a dry chestnut oak stand, rich marble outcrops, high elevation heaths, and the aforementioned wooded pools and fen. In some cases we have begun to target these areas for management or protection, including prescribed fire on the oak site but were forced to abort this plan in 2019 due to operational and logistical constraints. Possible sites to target future invasive species management would be the periphery of two vernal wetlands of high value for breeding Jefferson salamanders and other amphibians, and the fen on the property’s eastern flank.
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:
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