Introduction.

Aim of this topic

The broad aim of this Topic is to introduce students to global changes at the political, financial, cultural and social levels that could lead to widespread invasions of inappropriate species.

The Topic will also invite students to start articulating their thinking about the globalisation of ecology from an informed position.

Specifically, students having completed Topic 1 should be able to:

• Understand the history of invasions
• Understand the concept of Australian species as invaders
• Create a definition of an invasive species
• Identify global changes that have increased the threat of invasions and examine their own understanding of the importance of invaders
• Identify and articulate an informed position about "invaders"

Buffalo in Kakadu floodplains.Photo courtesy of Aaron Petty

• Introduction
• History of invasions
• Australian species as invaders
• Developing a definition of invasive species
• Why worry about globalisation?

• Activity 1.1
• Activity 1.2
• Reading List

• Assignment 1