Deliberate introduction of exotic species, as well as accidental invasions and indirect
human-assisted climate change are altering ranges and introducing new overlaps of species. This has
resulted in novel species associations that not only affect trophic interactions locally in natural
and managed communities, but also may often cause widespread economic and environmental problems..
Learning objectives
LO#1: Become familiar with the diversity of invasive species, their ecological adaptations in the introduced range, novel associations with native species, and impact on native communities.
(Bloom’s taxonomy levels: “remember”, “understand”)
LO#2: Develop an understanding of the theoretical framework of invasion ecology with a focus on invasion hypotheses, predictive models, and management of invasive species.
(Bloom’s taxonomy levels: “understand”, “apply”)
LO#3: Closely examine ecology of native-invasive species interactions using case studies and recognize the complexity of ecological mechanisms underlying novel species interactions.
(Bloom’s taxonomy levels: “analyze”, “evaluate”, “create”)
Learning outcomes
After completion of the course students need to know:
The main ecological characteristics of the invasive species (LO#1)
Commonly used invasion ecology hypotheses, and how species invasions can be predicted and managed (LO#2)
The main ecological mechanisms underlying interactions between native and invasive species (LO#3)
After completion of the course the students will be able to:
Differentiate between native, non-native, and invasive species, identify novel species interactions, and name representative invasive plant and animal species (LO#1)
Describe response of native communities to invaders and identify effective management strategies (LO#2)
Evaluate consequences of species introductions and develop informative suggestions for mitigating their impact on native communities (LO#3)
The course includes weekly lectures and laboratories, weekly homework, 6 online quizzes, as well as a mid-term and cumulative final exam. During both lectures and laboratories students will design and conduct experiments, develop and present group projects, participate in short local field trips, write article critiques, analyze case studies, and develop risk assessment protocols.
In-class activities
Interactive lectures: ‘yes/no’-cards, in-class worksheet, short all-class discussions
Guided work in pairs and groups
Group presentations
Individual short presentations
Two local field trips
Laboratory experiment with plants
Two article critiques
Recommended books
Lockwood, J. L., Hoopes, M. F., & Marchetti, M. P. (2013). Invasion ecology. John Wiley & Sons.
Simberloff, D. (2013). Invasive species: what everyone needs to know. Oxford University Press.
Narrowing down the focus: novel host-parasite interactions
Introduced parasites and their mode of action; host responses
Biological control: definition, types, focus on classical biocontrol and augmentation
Invasion ecology meets parasitology: examples and discussion
Narrowing down the focus: novel predator-prey interactions
Invasive vs. native predator and prey species: case studies
Predator-prey coadaptations and impact on ecosystems
Novel predator-prey interactions: implications for conservation and co-evolution
Hands-on experience: ‘special’ novel interaction
Group project: ‘my special novel species interaction’
Guided discussion in class
Group presentations: “My special novel species interaction”
Impact of Invasive Species and management strategies
Ecological and economic impacts; risk accessment protocols; eradication, conservation issues
Biocontrol, monitoring, scouting, trap species; what you can do..
Group presentations: ‘my risk assesment protocol’
Sometimes it is good to be introduced..
Can invasive species be beneficial for the environment? Facts and ideas
Group project: creating an ‘ideal’ introduced species
Group presentations: “My ideal introduced species would ..”
Invasion ecology resources: where should I look to learn more?
Invasive species databases and state lists
Invasion ecology research: current state of invasion ecology, professional societies, communication
Short individual presentations: “If I were an invasion ecologist..”
Wrap-up
Special topic: TBD (students’ choice)
Final exam
This is a staged lecture; a short version of my guest lecture for the Freshwater Biology course:
Laboratories
Week 1. Short presentations: “Invasion ecology: what I want to know”. Setting-up experiment with native/invasive grasses (seedlings planted in the greenhouse before the class starts)
