HSI2021: Social Ecology: Principles of Invasion Ecology 2021

The course will cover how plants and animals become invasive, the economic, social and environmental damage they cause, and the population dynamics of invasion. This will include examples from Japan, New Zealand and around the world.

Lecturer

  • Professor Tohru IKEDA
    Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University
  • Dr. Al GLEN
    Researcher, Landcare Research (Wildlife Ecology & Management), New Zealand

Course Detail

Schedule: 2021 August 30th – September 3rd
Level: Undergraduate
Credit: 2
Course Format: Online – Live and On Demand

Outline

Invasive plants and animals are one of the leading causes of decline and extinction among native species around the world. They also cost the global economy billions of dollars each year due to lost production, health impacts and loss of ecosystem services. This course provides an introduction to the causes of the invasive species problem and the damage caused by invasive plants and animals. This will include invasion pathways (how invasive species arrive and become established), the characteristics of successful invaders, and the effects of invasive species on the environment, society and economy. We will also explore some of the complex problems that result when two or more invasive species interact in an ecosystem.

Course Goals

  • Have an understanding of the historical and current causes of biological invasions.
  • Be familiar with the ways in which invasive plants and animals damage ecosystems, societies and economies.
  • Know how to conduct a risk assessment for potentially invasive species.
  • Understand the interacting effects of two or more invasive species in an ecosystem.