The course used phragmites, purple loosestrife and other aggressive plants to examine threats to native communities in the northeastern United States.
Its description treated control as more than plant removal: participants were asked to consider soil, nutrients, habitat conditions and what ecological community should fill the resulting gap.
What participants were expected to learn
- Understand invasive-plant biology and demography
- Assess effects on natural communities
- Recognize conditions that encourage invasion
- Compare wetland and woodland control methods
- Plan what follows control
- Consider social, political and ethical dimensions
Field component
Day two took participants to wetland and upland sites to examine management and control programs in place or under development.
Teaching record
The recovered record identifies Steven N. Handel as course coordinator.