[Plsugs] SUMMER COURSE - RNR400: NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA

[Quist, Tanya M - (tquist)]

Dear Sustainable Plant Systems students,
Please consider PLS400, offered this summer as a good alternative for PLS405 Weed Sciences. PLS405 is a course that is required for some Sustainable Plant Systems majors but which is no longer taught.
Best regards,
Prof. Quist


See attached flyer and course description, below.  Feel free to contact Dr. Howery if you have questions.



NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA (PLS/RNR 400)

June 4 – July 5, 2018

Dr. Larry D. Howery (lhowery at ag.arizona.edu<mailto:lhowery at ag.arizona.edu>; 309-5412)

Fully On-line (D2L) Course

Course Synopsis:  This fully on-line, 3-credit course will “meet” 5 days/week June 4-July 5, 2018 and will focus on the biology, ecology, impacts, and management options for noxious, invasive plants in Arizona and the western U.S.  The course’s primary focus is on Arizona and the western U.S., however, it will also provide a brief overview of the ecological and economic effects of invasive plants across North America.

Background: Noxious, invasive plant problems in the western U.S. have been described as “a slow-moving  biological fire.”  When small weed infestations are left unchecked, they may grow exponentially.  However, land impacted by prescribed or managed fires usually recovers and may be more diverse and productive than before the fire occurred.  On the other hand, land infested by invasive plants may be irreversibly changed.  Invasive plants also cause economic problems by negatively impacting human and animal health, disrupting the structure and function of natural ecosystems, and decreasing land values.  Many weed scientists compare small infestations to biological time bombs, primed to expand exponentially when the right combination of environmental conditions comes along.  The risk of ignoring these infestations is great.  In Arizona and throughout the western U.S., there are opportunities to control smaller infestations before they expand their range into previously uninfested areas.

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes: The primary objective of this course is to help you develop a deeper understanding of noxious and invasive plants that are currently established in Arizona or that threaten the state.  The first half of the course focuses on about 30 species of noxious, invasive weeds and potential management options for those species, while the last half of the course more specifically covers the pros and cons of using various management tools that are available to control noxious, invasive weeds using an integrated, ecologically-based approach.  By the end of this course, you will have achieved the following learning outcomes: 1) ability to describe multiple negative impacts of noxious, invasive plants, 2) ability to site-identify ~ 30 key invasive plant species in the southwestern U.S., 3) increased understanding of the biology and ecology of invasive species, and, 4) increased understanding of various integrated vegetation management strategies and tactics to manage noxious, invasive plants.

Course Methodology and Teaching Format: Time management will be critical in this 5-week course which “meets” online 5 days/week for ~ 5 consecutive weeks (~ June 4 – July 5, 2018).  Each class day, there will be a Learning Module (a written lecture) that you will be required to read, and, a Discussion Assignment that you will be required to complete by the end of the day (unless the day has been devoted to a quiz).  There will be 4 quizzes given weekly throughout the session, and, you will be required to develop a PowerPoint® presentation on a noxious or invasive plant topic that is approved by the instructor.  Questions?  Call or email Dr. Howery (see contact information, above).










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