<html><head></head><body><div class="ydpaa38958eyahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div>
<div><b>NOXIOUS, INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARIZONA (RNR/PLS 400)</b></div></div><div><p class="ydp34aed9ebMsoNormal"><b>
</b>Five Week, Summer Session I, 2023; 3 credits<br>
Dr. Larry D. Howery (lhowery@ag.arizona.edu; 520-309-5412)<br>
Fully On-line (D2L) Course (mostly asynchronous)</p>
<p class="ydp34aed9ebMsoNormal"><b>Course Synopsis:</b> This fully on-line (mostly
asynchronous) 3-credit course will “meet” June 5-July 6, 2023 and will provide
an overview of 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
an overview of the ecological and economic impacts of invasive plants (and some animals) across
North America.</p>
<p class="ydp34aed9ebMsoNormal"><b>Background:</b> Noxious, invasive plant problems in
the western U.S. have been described as “a slow-moving<span> </span>biological fire.”<span> </span>When small weed infestations are left unchecked,
they may grow exponentially.<span> </span>However,
land impacted by fire 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.<span> </span>Many weed scientists compare
small infestations to biological time bombs, primed to expand exponentially
when the right combination of environmental conditions come 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.</p>
<p class="ydp34aed9ebMsoNormal"><b>Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:</b> 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. By the end of this course, you will have
achieved the following learning outcomes: 1) ability to describe various
ecologic and economic impacts of noxious, invasive plants, 2) ability to
site-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 management
strategies and tactics available to manage noxious, invasive plants.</p>
<p class="ydp34aed9ebMsoNormal"><b>Course Methodology and Teaching Format:</b> Time management
will be critical in this 5-week course which “meets” online (mostly
asynchronously) 5 days/week for ~ 5 consecutive weeks (June 5 – July 6,
2023). Each class day (M-F), there will be a Learning Module that you
will be required to read, and, an on-line 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 me.<span> </span>Questions?<span>
</span>Call or email Dr. Howery (see contact information, above.)</p>
</div><div><br></div></div></div></body></html>