Cole, Emma. Flora of Grand Rapids: A Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns Growing
Without Cultivation in the Vicinity of Grand Rapids, Michigan. A. Van Dort, Book and Job Printer.
1901.
Herman, Kim D. et. al. Floristic Quality Assessment with Wetland Categories and Examples of
Computer Applications for the State of Michigan. Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
2001.
References
This project has highlighted several species that are listed
by the Michigan DNR as threatened or of special
concern. These include Diarrhena americana (American
Beakgrass top), Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells,
middle), and Lithospermum latifolium (Broad-leaved
puccoon, bottom).
Highlighted findings
At this time the most preserved area of the creek runs
between 28th Street and Kalamazoo Ave through Ken-OSha park. This area includes oaks estimated to be over
220 years old. A previous survey of the area by Dave
Warners revealed an FQI of 56, making it extremely
significant.
Ken-O-Sha Park
In 1901, Emma Cole published Flora of Grand Rapids,
highlighting the botanical features of the region at the turn
of the century. Cole refers to Plaster Creek as an area of
rich botanical value, noting the presence of Trillium
nivale (Snow Trillium, now all but extinct in Michigan)
and several species of orchids found along the banks.
Historical Significance
Noah Kruis and Dave Warners, Calvin College
T itle:
(Cal vin/Seal /T agline.eps)
Creator:
Adobe Il lustrator(TM ) 7.0
Previ ew:
T his EPS pi cture was not sav ed
with a preview i ncluded i n i t.
Comment:
T his EPS pi cture wil l pri nt to a
Once the FQI has been calculated
it can be used to determine the
significance of the plant diversity at
a given site. This is helpful in
planning future development of
these sites. An FQI of less than 20
indicates minimal significance.
Areas with an FQI of 35 or higher
have statewide floristic importance.
An area with an FQI of 50 or
higher represents a significant
component of Michigan’s
biodiversity and natural landscape.
For each section of the creek the
floristic quality index (FQI) was
calculated. The Michigan
Department of Natural Resources
assigns all plants native to the state
a coefficient of conservatism (CC),
a numerical representation of a
species’ ability to withstand
disturbance. A plant with a CC of
ten would survive only in pristine
habitats, while one with a CC of
one would thrive in areas highly
disturbed by weather or human
intervention. The FQI is calculated
by multiplying the mean CC by the
square root of the total number of
plant taxa present.
Floristic Quality Index
Students from Plant Taxonomy class have divided the creek into six
sections, surveying the botanical diversity in each section to get a sense
of what plant life is present along its banks.
Plaster Creek flows for about 18 miles from its source through
Southeast Grand Rapids on its way to the Grand River. The watershed
covers a considerable portion of this area, including the campus of
Calvin College. The creek itself connects rural, residential, urban and
industrial areas, all having experienced varying degrees of development
over the past several decades. In some sections of the creek, a wide
floodplain provides a considerable buffer between the creek and the
built up environment. In other areas the flow of the creek has been
dramatically altered leaving little to no buffer zone.
Introduction:
Botanical Inventory of Plaster Creek