As far as teaching about invasions in an ecology vs. environmental science class
goes, I'll offer another perspective. I teach half a semester about ecology
using invasives species as a case study (a focus on tamarisk in particular since
it's such a widespread problem here). I talk about plant physiology, population
growth, measuring species richness and biodiversity, and ecosystem dynamics in
this context. I also talk about assessing the problem, biological control and
other methods of control, again, using that ecological basis. Students measure
species biodiversity in the field and write a scientific paper using these data.
This is a useful way to get across basic scientific concepts and basic
ecological concepts in an applied framework. This is, by the way, a 100 level
course. It is an environmental science course, but I'd feel comfortable teaching
it as an ecology course as well.
Cheers
Tamera Minnick
Tamera Minnick, Ph.D.
Assoc Prof, Env Sci & Tech
Mesa State College
1100 North Ave
Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122
Phone 970-248-1663
FAX 970-248-1700
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
