FOR00107 - Forest Health: Pest and Disease Management (2020)

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Not offered in 2020

Unit description

Introduces students to major issues in forest ecosystem health, forest entomology and pathology, ecology and management of invasive plants, and basic tree nutrition with a focus on biodiversity protection and enhancement. Also considered are broad forest ecosystem health phenomena including various types of dieback and forest decline. Some of the particular issues addressed include Bell Miner Associated Dieback in local native forests, Sirex wood wasp in pines and the fungal diseases Ramularia and Phytophthora and the emerging problem of myrtle rust.

Unit content

• Biology of major pests of native forests, plantations and nurseries
• Control techniques including chemical, silvicultural, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Chemical control protocols — method of action, application methods (ground, aerial)
• Strategies to overcome pest threats
• Classification of the pathogenic agents of disease (fungi, bacteria, viruses, etc.), abiotic disorders and mutualistic associations, especially those of major importance to Australian forest ecosystems and trees in general
• Biology of the major diseases of native forests, plantations and nurseries
• Strategies to overcome disease threats
• Assessment of weed problems and strategies for control — IPM, chemical, mechanical, silvicultural

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.