At a Glance
An isolated patch of forest owned by Louisiana State University gets a blueprint for increasing its ecological value.
Project Description
When Louisiana State University (LSU) decided to revise their Campus Master Plan, they contracted Biohabitats to provide insight into the sustainability of the effort on a landscape scale. Biohabitats conducted an ecological assessment of the Burden Center property, developed ecological management recommendations, and created a sustainability framework. Hurricane Gustav struck in the middle of the process, which allowed an opportunity to examine the structural changes caused by a massive storm.
As part of the site assessment, Biohabitats evaluated the landscape context and connectivity of the site, described the existing forest cover, soils and hydrology, and evaluated the designated wetlands there. Biohabitats then made specific recommendation on how to maximize the site’s ecological attributes in the campus master plan. Although the site was relatively isolated from other woodlands at the landscape level and there was little riparian habitat along its central creek, Biohabitats recommended the restoration of a native woodland corridor to improve the habitat for wildlife and native plants.