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Spring 2009
ESPM 98/198
2 Unit(s)

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community service /
field work course

About the Course:

Invasive species management is an integral component of conservation biology.  Once established, invasive species proliferate rapidly, thereby outcompeting native organisms, altering food webs, and endangering ecosystems. In many cases, eradication is not an option.  Control is often costly and may involve undesirable chemicals.  The best way to manage invasive species is a combination of prevention and early detection, which requires public education, appropriate disposal of captive organisms, sound field practices, and preventative monitoring. 

This course will provide students with knowledge of…

·         Characteristics of invasive species

·         Vectors of introduction and subsequent spread

·         Ecological, economic, and recreational consequences

·         Regional invasive species of concern (plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates)

·         Invasive species management: control and eradication programs

·         Invasive species in the context of global climate change

An individual who works with invasive species is, inevitably, a jack of all trades.  The study of invasive species requires knowledge in diverse areas of the life sciences, including molecular biology, organismal biology, and ecology. The management of invasive species requires a diverse skill set, including effective communication with both researchers and the public. This course will provide students with the information, tools, and opportunities to understand invasive species biology and participate in invasive species management.

In addition to weekly meetings, students will have the opportunity to participate in public education though the development of outreach materials, to observe the impact of invasive species in our regional ecosystems through field trips, and to participate in invasive species monitoring and management activities with local resource agencies.