SC 281 - Invasive Plant Ecology and Management

3 Credits

This course focuses on vegetation management strategies for industrial sites, natural areas, and anthropogenic landscapes. Plant biology and competitive strategies of weed specie are studied in detail with emphasis on invasive plants. Integrated tools and techniques for control are described and include prevention, cultural, manual, physical, and chemical approaches. Students spend considerable time in lab identifying weed species, seedlings, and seeds.

Rationale:
This is a required course for Year II of the Agricultural Sustainability program, the Environmental Conservation and Reclamation, the General Environmental Sciences, the Land Stewardship and Conservation, and the Renewable Resource Reclamation majors of the Environmental Sciences diploma. This course will provide students with an understanding of weed biology, management, and the ecosystems the weeds inhabit in order to manipulate these plants for positive management outcomes in reclamation settings. Identification of invasive species, development of appropriate management plans, and application of appropriate integrated weed management plants is essential for conservation and reclamation professionals. As herbicides are a common method of control, a thorough understanding of legislation, applicator certification, personal and environmental safety, herbicide toxicity and resistance, and proper use is critical.

Prerequisites: BI 270 , BO 120 
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

1. Understand the biology and life cycle of common and important agricultural and industrial invasive weed species.
2. Identify common non-native plant species (typically weeds) at various stages in their life cycles including cotyledon and seed identification.
3. Recognize the various levels of provincial and federal regulations that exist in Alberta and Saskatchewan and apply to weed control.
4. Describe a variety of cultural control techniques for invasive species in an array of ecological settings.
5. Describe the principles of herbicide use for chemical control of invasive species, with special emphasis on industrial and native sites.
6. identify and demonstrate competency in safe use of herbicides as related to the provincial and federal legislations.
7. Use learnings from the course to create an integrated weed management strategy in an applied reclamation setting.

and Rural Development. Alberta Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development, 2000

ISBN: 0773261478, 9780773261471

Morton, D., and N. Kimmel. 2016. Weed seedling guide: early identification of grass and broad-leaved weeds. 2nd ed.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB. Agdex 640-9.

Required readings as provided through books, handouts, library resources, and Internet sites. Other resources may be provided for the student by the instructor based on availability and are discussed at the beginning of term.

Other Reference Material:

Ali, S. (Ed.). 2021. Crop protection with chemicals. Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development. 

Edmonton, AB: Agdex 606-1 (blue book). (updated annually, Internet).

Bubar, C.J., S.J. McColl, and L.M. Hall. 2000. Weeds of the prairies. Alberta Agriculture,

     Food and Rural Development, Edmonton, AB.

Lakeland College. 2018. Pesticide applicator core lesson. Pesticide applicator home study

course. Alberta Environment.

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:

This course contains 42 hours of lecture and 28 hours of laboratory. Lecture component is a formalized lecture situation where student questions and participation are encouraged to clarify subject areas. In class and laboratory quizzes and assignments demonstrate student understanding of concepts presented.

Labs focus on developing skills required to identify mature and juvenile plants, cotyledons, and seeds to understand lecture content, and to apply principles related to lecture and lab content. Plant identification and the characteristics related to control are studied during the lab period. Plant quizzes or practice ID sessions may be held in lab time.

The Pesticide Home study course is delivered during the lab or lecture with opportunity to work on the home study course questions in lab in preparation for the authorized assistant applicators certificate.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports, therefore absenteeism is recorded.

1. Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours can be required to withdraw and would then automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade).
2. An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor following an in-person meeting. Be sure to contact your instructor and ask what they will require from you as verification of each absence. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams, or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:
Unit 1. Introduction: History of Weeds and Legislation

Unit 2. Biology and Physiology of Weeds and Other Invasive Plants

Unit 3. Cultural Control Techniques for Herbaceous and Woody Vegetation for Industrial and Natural Resource Activities, and Natural Areas

Unit 4. Assistant Pesticide Applicator Certification

Unit 5. Chemical Control: Herbicide Activity in the Plant and the Environment

Unit 6. Integrated Industrial Site Vegetation Management Techniques

Laboratory Content: The following topics will be covered in the lab although order and/or emphasis may vary.

Laboratory content and order of delivery varies depending on available materials for study.

Course Assessments:

To obtain credit for this course a minimum overall grade of D must be achieved. All assignments must be handed in or an incomplete or fail is given for the course. Late assignments are not graded, and a zero mark is assigned. All labs must be attended to obtain credit for the course and any missed lab periods, unexcused or excused, requires a makeup lab activity.

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.