BT3290:03
Plant Reproductive and Population Ecology
Townsville
Prerequisites: BT2260 recommended
22 lectures, 30 hours practicals, 1 day field work. First semester.
Staff: Assoc. Professor B Jackes.
Demography of plant populations, with an emphasis on tropical plants. The first section of the subject will concentrate on learning techniques and theory associated with the reproductive ecology of plants, together with seed dispersal, seed germination and establishment. This subject compares and contrasts the two major environments found in the northern Australian tropics with respect to the reproductive and population ecology of plants. Practical aspects include techniques associated with studying pollination, breeding systems, seed dispersal and germination strategies in both rainforest and savanna environments. Students are expected to undertake a small research project.
Learning Objectives:
- to gain an understanding of the sources of variation in plant populations with an emphasis on tropical species;
- to investigate factors affecting reproductive success such as breeding systems, pollination ecology and resource allocation;
- to investigate factors affecting the distribution and establishment of populations;
- to apply this knowledge to provenance and revegetation studies, as well as to the conservation and management of tropical vegetation;
- to learn relevant practical techniques.
Assessment by examination (60%); project (30%); practical reports (10%).
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