Management of Plant and Animal Invasions
Subject 207-501 (2008)
Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook
| Credit Points: | 12.500 | ||||||||||||
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| Level: | Graduate/Postgraduate | ||||||||||||
| Dates & Locations: | This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008: Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here. | ||||||||||||
| Time Commitment: | Contact Hours: Lectures 2 hrs/week; Practical 3 hrs/week; Student presentations 3 hrs. Total Time Commitment: Not available | ||||||||||||
| Prerequisites: | Eligibility for honours or 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 Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry. It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability |
Coordinator
Prof Roger Cousens| 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. |
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| Assessment: | One assignment, maximum of 8000 words, and a 15 min presentation |
| Prescribed Texts: | None |
| Breadth Options: | This subject is not available as a breadth subject. |
| Fees Information: | Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date |
| Generic Skills: | 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. |
| Links to further information: | www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au |
| Related Course(s): |
Master of Agricultural Science |
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