Modeling NatureServe subnational conservation status ranks for Tennessee vascular plants

Conservation status ranks measure the potential risk of extinction for species at the global, national, and subnational levels, 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 vascular flora of Tennessee using five methods: (1) assigning an s-rank based on surrounding state s-ranks, (2) assigning an s-rank based on the percentage of counties with an occurrence record, (3) using FME to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank, (4) using RareCat to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank, and (5) using ArcGIS Pro to calculate criteria and assign an s-rank. These methods generated provisionary s-ranks for 99% of Tennessee’s flora (2,992 species). A manual was created on how ArcGIS Pro can be used to calculate criteria and assign provisionary s-ranks, which was shared with NatureServe and their state-level partners to further ranking efforts.