FRS 001Q —
Sec. 001 —
(1 unit) — CRN 45488 — T 2:10-3:00pm — 2346 Storer
Ecological Invasions by Animals and Plants
Instructor: Thomas Schoener, Department of Evolution &
Ecology, College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Description: This seminar course discusses the characteristics
and consequences of biological invasions. Such an invasion happens
when a species
of organism, animal or plant, arrives somewhere beyond its previous
range. Because
of the great increase in human commerce, most such invasions result from human
action, usually accidental but sometimes deliberate. Additionally, the type of
habitat invaded is often one highly modified by humans, so that
invasive species
can easily become very conspicuous and even economic pests. This
course will first
present case-histories of some of the more spectacular invasions. Next, we will
review invasions from a scientific point of view: how can we predict which ones
will succeed or fail, which habitats are especially vulnerable and what are the
ecological consequences of invasions? Subsequent discussion will be devoted to
biological invasions from social-sciences and humanities viewpoints.
Issues invasions
raise for applied management will be covered. Information will be
conveyed through
presentations by the instructor and reading assignments. Portions of classroom
time will be devoted to discussion of the readings.
Format: The seminar will meet for one hour each
week. In addition
to doing readings and participating in discussions, students will be expected
to write a paper (c1000 words) in consultation with the instructor. The paper
will research a particular invasion or related set of invasions and
analyze that
invasion with respect to conceptual material presented in class.
Grading:
The grade will be based on the paper (50%) and oral class
participation (50%).
About the Instructor: Professor Schoener is a member
of the faculty
in the Section of Evolution and Ecology, Division of Biological Sciences. His
research interests extend through many areas of ecology, from
behavior to populations
and communities. He specializes in tropical/subtropical regions and presently
does field research in the West Indies and Australia. He usually
teaches the undergraduate
core course Evolution and Ecology 101 (Introduction to Ecology), as
well as graduate
courses in population biology and invasion biology.
NOTE—The course is limited to 10 students.