[SRM] NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA (RNR/PLS 400); Five Week, Summer Session I, 2023; 3 credits

[Larry Howery]

NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA (RNR/PLS 400)
Five Week, Summer Session I, 2023; 3 credits
Dr. Larry D. Howery (lhowery at ag.arizona.edu; 520-309-5412)
Fully On-line (D2L) Course (mostly asynchronous)

Course Synopsis:  This fully on-line (mostlyasynchronous) 3-credit course will “meet” June 5-July 6, 2023 and will providean overview of the biology, ecology, impacts, and management options fornoxious, invasive plants in Arizona and the western U.S.  The course’sprimary focus is on Arizona and the western U.S., however, it will also providean overview of the ecological and economic impacts of invasive plants (and some animals) acrossNorth America.

Background: Noxious, invasive plant problems inthe 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 fire usually recovers and may be more diverse and productivethan before the fire occurred.  On the other hand, land infested byinvasive plants may be irreversibly changed.  Invasive plants also causeeconomic problems by negatively impacting human and animal health, disruptingthe structure and function of natural ecosystems, and decreasing landvalues.  Many weed scientists comparesmall infestations to biological time bombs, primed to expand exponentiallywhen the right combination of environmental conditions come along.  Therisk of ignoring these infestations is great. In Arizona and throughoutthe western U.S., there are opportunities to control smaller infestationsbefore they expand their range into previously uninfested areas.

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes: Theprimary objective of this course is to help you develop a deeper understandingof noxious and invasive plants that are currently established in Arizona orthat threaten the state.  By the end of this course, you will haveachieved the following learning outcomes: 1) ability to describe variousecologic and economic impacts of noxious, invasive plants, 2) ability tosite-identify ~ 30 invasive plant species presently in the southwestern U.S.,3) increased understanding of the biology and ecology of invasive species, and,4) increased understanding of various integrated and ecologically-based managementstrategies and tactics available to manage noxious, invasive plants.

Course Methodology and Teaching Format: Time managementwill be critical in this 5-week course which “meets” online (mostlyasynchronously) 5 days/week for ~ 5 consecutive weeks (June 5 – July 6,2023).  Each class day (M-F), there will be a Learning Module that youwill be required to read, and, an on-line Discussion Assignment that you willbe required to complete by the end of the day (unless the day has been devotedto a quiz).  There will be 4 quizzes given weekly throughout the session,and you will be required to develop a PowerPoint® presentation on anoxious or invasive plant topic that is approved by me.  Questions? Call or email Dr. Howery (see contact information, above.)

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