16:215:603

Ecology of Invasions and Invasive Species

Spring 2005

Prof: Joan G. Ehrenfeld
126 Environment & Nat. Res. Sci. Bldg.
732-932-1081
ehrenfel@rci.rutgers.edu

Goals of the course:

The ecology of invasions has become a major area of inquiry within ecology and a major focus of activity for conservationists and restorationists. Indeed, the rapid rise in the number of published papers and the number of scientists focusing on the topic mimics the exponential spread of many invasive species across the landscape.

The goal of this course is to explore the recent literature on major topics in this field, and, by doing so, gain some insight into the ecology of invasions, the species involved, and the societal context in which these invasions occur and in which management is attempted.

The class will rely on student reading and reporting on a wide range of papers from the primary research literature and recent books as a basis of discussion. You will be responsible for reading the assigned text chapters (background reading), writing discussion papers (2-3 pages maximum; see separate handout) on 3 assignments (one longer or two shorter papers from the research literature), and for preparing one case study to be presented to the class.

Texts:

• Myers, J. H. and D. R. Bazely. 2003. Ecology and Control of Introduced Plants. Cambridge University Press. (M&B)
• Cox, G. W. 1999. Alien Species in North America and Hawaii. Island Press (Cox)
• Elton, C. (1958) The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants. University of Chicago Press. (2000 edition)
• (recommended to purchase but not required; individual chapters will be assigned) Ruiz, G. M. and J. T. Carleton, eds. 2003. Invasive
  Species - Vectors and Management Strategies. Island Press, Washington, DC.

Course requirements, assignments and grading:

Your grade will come from three types of contributions to the class:

25% - Final paper: Read the classic text by Elton, and respond to two questions in a 10-page-double-spaced paper (maximum), due the last day of class: 1) what have we learned since 1958? Have we made any progress in understanding invasive species issues? and 2) what do you think are the most important and interesting (not necessarily the same) research issues that should be addressed? Be prepared to present your analysis to the class.

25% - Class participation in discussions. As this is a graduate seminar class, it will be expected that each member of the class will actively take part in analyzing, criticizing, and commenting on the readings and discussion papers that are presented by others.

50% - Discussion papers of assigned readings and two case studies. Each presentation will be graded on a 1-10 basis, with 5 points for the content of the written summary and 5 points for the quality of the discussion questions and the liveliness of the discussion.

Class topics

Introduction; discussion of definitions of terminology

Characteristics of invasive plant species

Characteristics of invasive animals

Case studies

Characteristics of invaded communities I

Characteristics of invaded communities II

Enemy release hypothesis

Effects of invasions I - ecology

Effects of invasions II – economics and policy,

Evolution of invasive species and the EICA hypothesis

Modeling and prediction of invasions

Modes of introduction – the human dimension

Control – biological, chemical, physical, cultural agents

Management and legal remedies – states and nations

Last class – what have we learned since Elton’s classic analysis?