Details
1-day course
CPD Credit: 7.5 hours, C1
Course
Overview
The presence of invasive alien species can result in a wide range of complications during the planning and operational phases of infrastructure or development projects. These impacts range from elevated economic costs and human-health risks to wider social and environmental issues. Many of our highest impact invasive alien species are listed in National and International Regulations requiring specific actions to manage their spread and dispersal. The course will open with the basic concepts of invasive species science and set the scene for discussions around the risks, impacts and management practices associated with many of these species. Biosecurity practices to manage the pathways and vectors for spread associated with invasive alien species will be analysed in light of recently developed national pathway action plans.
Course
programme
- Introduction to invasive alien species and why they are a problem.
- Practical identification of invasive alien plant species using ID materials and specimens.
- Introduction to national and EU invasive species legislation.
- Best biosecurity practice to prevent the spread of invasive alien plant species.
- Introduction to practical control methods for invasive species.
- Impacts, Control and Management of key invasive alien plant species, to include case studies on: Japanese knotweed and related knotweeds, Himalayan balsam, Giant hogweed, Gunnera, Rhododendron, Cherry laurel, Winter heliotrope, Curly-leaved waterweed and New Zealand pigmyweed and others considered to be of concern to engineers.
Discussion time will be incorporated into both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Learning
outcomes
Using live plant materials, the participants will be brought through the identification process for most of the key invasive species. At the end of the hands-on practical session, they will understand basic botanical terminology and be able to identify most diagnostic botanical features on these species. The remainder of the course will focus on PowerPoint presentations, with ample discussion time between each course item to pursue particular issues of interest. By the end of the course, participants should have a good understanding of the traits that confer competitive advantage on invasive alien plants over native species and how to control these insidious species. They will also be aware of the importance of biosecurity and of how this should be best practiced.
Who should
attend
Engineers who are confronted with troublesome invasive alien plant species, in terrestrial or aquatic situations, as they go about their everyday duties. The course will enable engineers to accurately identify problematic invasive alien plant species and to be aware of the most effective control or management options. It will also provide them with a basic understanding of the legalities that surround invasive species.
Trainer's Profile
Dr. William Earle has a Ph.D. in invasive species management and is working as an invasive species expert with INVAS since 2016. Dr Earle is now a Director with INVAS Biosecurity, a company that provides a professional training, contracting and consultancy service that targets invasive species in aquatic and terrestrial situations. He has provided training courses in the past to numerous organisations including Engineers Ireland, local authorities, volunteer organisations and other clients. His research focused on Lagarosiphon major, an aquatic invasive weed that can severely impacts on salmonids, particularly in Lough Corrib. William is responsible for Invasive Alien Species, macrophyte and ecological field surveys using drone and GPS technology. He is in charge of training, GIS mapping and map production in INVAS, as well as survey reporting and Appropriate Assessment (AA) preparation on a diverse range of projects. He has been involved in the development of several recent national and international invasive species projects. species.
Engineers Ireland supports the Sustainable Development Goals. This event contributes to Engineers Ireland's Sustainability Framework.
Please contact the Team for further information on scheduled course dates and In-Company options. You can reach us by phone: 01 665 1305 or email cpdtraining@engineersireland.ie