A GIS DATABASE OF NATIVE AND EXOTIC TREES/WOODY-SHRUBS USING HISTORICAL AND MODERN DATA AT SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY, OHIO

An interactive map database in ArcGIS of the native and exotic trees/woody-shrubs on Shawnee State University’s campus was developed to help manage campus resources. Shawnee State University is an urban campus in southern Ohio which is approximately 35 hectares, that has been planted with numerous native and exotic plants over the last few decades. In order to better maintain the plants on campus a GIS database was created using data from previous courses and student research endeavors. These data sources were verified over the summer of 2018 to conform location and species data. This database keeps a record of all of the trees/woody-shrubs on campus, including: species, variety, location, height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and treatments (e.g. pruning, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers).

This GIS has immediate applications on campus because these trees/woody-shrubs are used in numerous courses on campus. The tree/woody-shrub database will also be used in the campus’ yearly application for Tree Campus USA to the National Arbor Day Foundation. Furthermore, not only is this a repository for a growth record of all of the trees on campus, but it also affords the opportunity for these trees to be calculated into energy costs and savings of buildings on campus, and to help the campus plan new areas for trees that will have the greatest effect on energy efficiency, which will aid in Shawnee State University’s effort to become more sustainable. With the development of this GIS tree/woody-shrubs database we hope to provide a template for other universities and businesses to follow.