The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Julia Prins will present Master's research titled, Modeling NatureServe Subnational Conservation Status Ranks for Tennessee Vascular Plants on 02/20/2025 at 1:00 PM in Holt 112. Everyone is invited to attend. 

Environmental Science

Chair: Joey Shaw

Co-Chair: 

Abstract:

Conservation status ranks measure the potential risk of extinction for species at the global, national, and subnational level, taking into account rarity, threats, and population trends. This study used the NatureServe system to generate provisionary subnational conservation status ranks (s-ranks) for the 3,033 vascular plant species of Tennessee using five methods. These were: (1) assigning an s-rank for Tennessee based on the s-ranks in surrounding states, (2) assigning an s-rank based on the percentage of counties that had an occurrence record, (3) using ArcGIS Pro to calculate rarity criteria and assign an s-rank, (4) using RareCat to calculate rarity criteria and assign an s-rank and (5) using FME to calculate rarity criteria and assign an s-rank. A manual was created on how ArcGIS Pro can be used to calculate rarity criteria and assign provisionary s-ranks which will be shared with NatureServe and their Natural Heritage Programs to further ranking efforts.