[Srm] NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA (RNR/PLS 400); Summer Session I, 2018; June 4 – July 5, 2018; 3 credits; Fully On-line (D2L) Course

[Larry Howery]

See attached flyer and course description, below.  Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Thanks, Larry
 NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA(RNR/PLS 400)
Summer Session I, 2018; 3 credits
June 4 – July 5, 2018
Dr. Larry D. Howery(lhowery at ag.arizona.edu; 309-5412)
Fully On-line (D2L) Course 
Course Synopsis:  This fully on-line, 3-creditcourse will “meet” June 4-July 5, 2018 and will focus on thebiology, ecology, impacts, and management options for noxious, invasive plantsin Arizona and the western U.S.  The course’s primary focus is on Arizonaand the western U.S., however, it will also provide a brief overview of theecological and economic effects of invasive plants across North America.

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

Course Objectives and ExpectedLearning Outcomes:The primary objective of this course is to help you develop a deeperunderstanding of noxious and invasive plants that are currently established inArizona or that threaten the state.  The first half of the course focuseson about 30 species of noxious, invasive weeds and potential management optionsfor those species, while the last half of the course more specifically coversthe pros and cons of using various management tools that are available tocontrol noxious, invasive weeds using an integrated, ecologically-basedapproach.  By the end of this course, youwill have achieved the following learning outcomes: 1) ability to describemultiple negative impacts of noxious, invasive plants, 2) ability tosite-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 strategiesand tactics to manage noxious, invasive plants.     

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

 




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