Invasive Species Module
Invasive Species Module – 10 hours
Cost for Session 5
$168 - registration fee
Course developer: Dr. Nadilia Gomez, research associate, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 with information provided by Dr. Rob Venette, research biologist, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1561 Lindig St., St. Paul, MN 55108
Course instructor: Gina Quiram is an advanced Ph.D. student in the NSF funded Graduate Training in Risk Analysis for Introduced Species and Genotypes. She is a recipient of the Pletcher Fellowship and is doing her research on the evolutionary consequences of invasive species management, biological control agents, purple loosestrife, and herbivore defense traits.
Session 5 Start Date: April 9, 2012
Session 5 End Date: May 21, 2012
A student who successfully completes the Invasive Species module will receive 1.0 CEUs and a Certificate of Completion. This information will be added to your personal portfolio so you will always know what you have completed.
This module provides an understanding of the mechanisms that account for invasion success, reviews their role in several invasion examples, and describes their significance when selecting management options.
The Invasive Species Module is structured into lessons that cover: mechanisms of biological invasions; pest risk assessments and emerging invasive threats to plants; invasive species impacts. The lessons use multiple media learning activities that include text, videos, still photo, and case studies. Quizzes are provided at the conclusion of each lesson – an overall grade of 80 percent is required for a student to pass the Invasive Species Module. Since our goal is to increase your knowledge and understanding, there are no limitations to the number of times a student may retake an assessment.
1. Mechanisms of Biological Invasions
a. Introduction
b. Learning objectives
c. Proposed explanations for the invasion phenomenon
i. Species traits
ii. Hybridization and the creation of superior genotypes
iii. Disturbance
iv. Biotic resistance/Species diversity
v. Vacant niche
vi. Dispersal pathways
vii. Natural Enemy Release Hypothesis
viii. Evolution of increased competitive ability
ix. Novel weapons
x. Invasion meltdown
d. Examples
i. Phytophthora alni hybrid
ii. Soybean, buck thorn, soybean aphid, and multicolored Asian lady beetle
iii. Garlic mustard
iv. Trade of aquatic plants
e. Management applications
i. Barriers to introduction pathways
ii. Enhancing specie diversity
iii. Biological control
iv. Reproductive sterility
v. Eradicating or suppressing existing invasions
vi. Minimizing disturbance
f. Conclusion
g. References
2. Pest risk assessment and emerging invasive threats to plants
a. Introduction
b. Learning objectives
c. Preparing to conduct a pest risk assessment
d. Methods to assess pest risk
e. Information for use in pest risk assessments
i. Species name and description
ii. Ecological information
f. Learning activity: Mini-pest risk assessment for the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis
g. Conclusion
h. Evaluation
i. References
j. Appendix 1. Criteria used in USDA mini pest risk assessments
i. Climate Suitability
ii. Host Specificity
iii. Host Availability
iv. Survey Methodology
v. Taxonomic Recognition
vi. Entry Potential
vii. Destination of Infested Material
viii. Potential Economic Impact
ix. Environmental impact
3. Invasive species impacts
a. Introduction
b. Learning objectives
c. Impacts of invasive species
i. Economic impacts
ii. Lower crop yield
iii. Lower quality of marketable commodities
iv. Increase management costs
v. Loss of markets
d. Learning activity 1. Economic impacts of Asian long-horned beetle eradication
e. Ecological impacts
i. Loss of ecosystem structure
ii. Loss of ecosystem function
iii. Non-target effects of invasive species management
f. Learning activity 2. Ecological impacts of invasive species in the Great Lakes
g. Social impacts
i. Well being
ii. Sense of place
iii. Loss of cultural heritage
h. Learning activity 3. Social impacts of Emerald Ash borer
i. Conclusion
j. Evaluation
k. References
If you are interested in completing this course, please contact us at ipm3@umn.edu with your contact information and approximate date range that you would like to complete the course.
