From Population to Landscape Ecology:

Ecological Basis for Management of Weeds In Agroecosystems

Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata and INTA Balcarce

September 21:  Weed population dynamics

Lecture document: Life History Models.doc  and in Castellano Historias de vida y modelos - Avena fatua.pdf

1.      Weed population demographics

2.      Stage transition models and estimating population growth rates

3.      Density dependence

4.      Stochastic variability

5.      Spatial dynamics

Readings: Chapter 1 from R. Cousens and M. Mortimer. 1995. Dynamics of Weed Populations. Pp.1-20. Cambridge University Press Chapter 5 from R. Cousens and M. Mortimer. 1995. Dynamics of Weed Populations. Pp.135-168. Cambridge University Press

Additional reading: Menges 2000

Exercise: (2 to 6 pm)

Read:  General Approaches to Modelling.pdf

Develop a stage transition model for a weed species in Excel. Calculate population growth rates. Include density dependence and stochasticity into the model. Download: Life History Models.pdf and popdemo0.xls

Demonstrate simple spatial models (cellular automata). 

September 22: Distribution of Weeds Across Scales

Lecture Document: Weed Distribution.doc

1.      World scale distribution processes

a.       Early discovery and rapid response management approach

2.      Regional scale dispersal vectors and distribution

a.       Corridors of dispersal

3.      Local scale distribution, dispersal processes and relative habitat quality

a.       Species traits

b.      Dispersal patterns

c.       Habitat quality

                                                                           i.      Abiotic constraints

                                                                         ii.      Biotic constraints

                                                                        iii.      Genotypic and phenotypic variability

Reading: Chapter 2 from R. Cousens and M. Mortimer. 1995. Dynamics of Weed Populations. Pp.21-54. Cambridge University Press

Exercise: Download SpatialInvasion.xls and demonstrate use of simple invasion model.

September 23: Lecture: Linking Spatial and Temporal Plant Population Dynamics, Forecasting and Informing Management Through The Use of Models

Lecture Document: Linking Spatial and Temporal Argentina.ppt  and in Castellano Linking_Spatial and Temp Dyn

1.      The integration of population processes to determine degree of invasion potential

2.      Model parameterization

3.      Extending experimental results with population models

4.      Relative importance of competitive ability versus dispersal traits in determining invasion potential

5.      Tracking temporal and spatial population dynamics

Readings: Maxwell and Rew (in prep.). Methods for assessing NIS population invasiveness. Biological Invasions (In prep). Methods for assessing NIS population invasiveness.pdf

 Exercise:

Use a model to investigate resultant local (within field) spatial patterns given assumptions about habitat distribution, dispersal characteristics, competitive interactions and management. Download: Lab4_LinkingSpatialTemporal.doc and PopDyn_spatial_1.0.xls

September 24: Lecture: Land Use Patterns and Change: An Ecological Perspective

Lecture Document: Castellano RSpread_Maxwell et al Argentina.ppt

Reading: Bennett and Balvanera 2007 futue of prod sys.pdf; Huston 2005 3_phases of LUC.pdf; Dale et al 2005 Eco impact and mit.pdf

Discussion: Discuss readings

Seminar 1: Weed Ecology: Will It Have An Impact On Weed Management? (September 17)  Ecologically Based Agriculture Arg.ppt