Management of Plant and Animal Invasions

Subject NRMT90002 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Lectures 2 hrs/week; Practical 2 hrs/week; Tutorials 2 hrs/5 per semester; Student Talks 3 hrs.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Eligibility for postgraduate degree

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements fo this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Melbourne School of Land & Environment (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Invasions are natural ecological phenomena. Dispersing individuals encounter suitable habitat, establish, spread and evolve. In this way, species have radiated outwards from their origins, colonised distant offshore islands, and species have spread in response to changes in climate.

Human-induced invasions of plants, animals and diseases in modern times have dramatically altered the scales of time and distance over which invasions take place. Their impacts can be considerable, wiping out unique communities, endangering rare species, adding considerable costs to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and having effects on the health, leisure and livelihoods of people. Tools such as pesticides and biological control can often be used to great effect, while for other invaders there are no obvious solutions. There may be unwanted side-effects of control methods on non-target species, they may adversely affect human health, and may cause considerable public concern. Integrated management strategies can be developed using ecological information about the species but these must be implemented in a real world that involves economics, politics, opinions and social interactions.

Objectives:

In this subject we will explore the underlying principles of biological invasions, analyse their impacts, discuss in detail the various control methods, consider their possible side effects and debate contentious issues such as pesticide residues, release of exotic predators and GMOs.

Assessment:

One 5000 word report (80%), a management strategy for particular invasive species. One oral presentation (20%).

Prescribed Texts:

None

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should have:
skills in formulating and writing management plans; an ability to critically access different forms of information; an understanding of how management decisions must consider people and not just science

Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture
Master of Agricultural Science
Master of Animal Science
Master of Urban Horticulture
Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Science and Management
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Bachelor of Environments (Honours) Landscape Management
Conservation, Restoration and Landscape Management
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Honours Program - Forest Science
Integrated Water Catchment Management
Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Regions

Download PDF version.