953336 Global change and pest management

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Walzer, Andreas , Hoch, Gernot
Organisation
Offered in
Wintersemester 2024/25
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

We will consider the main drivers of global change such as changes in atmospheric gases and associated climate change, the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, and changes in species composition (particularly the role of neobiota as invasive plant pest) and their effects on pest management in agriculture and forestry.
Topics: Climate change – basics, changes in atmospheric CO2, climate scenarios; effects of changes in atmospheric gases, temperature and precipitation on host plants, pests and their interactions; effects of climate change on natural enemies; effects of land use change on population dynamics of pest arthropods and biological control by natural enemies; neobiota as invasive pests – pathways, risk, approaches for control; effects of climate change on invasive pest species.
Previous knowledge expected

There are no formal requirements. However, basic knowledge in ecology, forest and/or agricultural entomology and plant protection is expected.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The successful students understand how climate change could impact pest management in agriculture and forestry. They know how changes in temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric CO2 can affect host plants, herbivorous arthropods and their natural enemies as well as the trophic interactions in the system. Students understand how land use changes can affect population dynamics of pest arthropods and particularly biological control by their natural enemies. Students will be aware of the problems arising from neobiota becoming invasive pests. They know about possible pathways, risks and control approaches; they understand how climate change could interact with invasive pest species.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.