Terrestrial Plant Ecology Lecture and Lab

Catalog description

Surveys the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of land (terrestrial) plants. Focuses on plant population dynamics (e.g., dispersal, germination, and recruitment), plant-plant and plant-animal interactions, and the effect of abiotic factors (e.g., climate, water, and nutrients) on the structure and function of terrestrial plant communities. The laboratory component provides students with an introduction to laboratory and research techniques in terrestrial plant ecology. Conducts experiments to investigate environmental controls on the physiology (including photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration), growth, and resource allocation of land plants. Teaches standard research techniques in plant ecology and utilize technology specifically designed to quantify plant function. Experiments will be conducted in the laboratory and green house. Three hours of lecture. Four hours of laboratory. May not be taken for credit by students who received credit for: BIOL 390. Prerequisite(s): For Environmental Biology Minors: BIOL 211 . For Biological Sciences Majors: BIOL 210 and BIOL 211