BZ2470 - Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology of Plants

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

How do plants solve the problems posed by the environments in which they live? This subject explores the strategies and mechanisms by which plants trap energy, obtain carbon and other nutrients, efficiently use water, defend themselves against predators and pathogens, and compete for resources. We will examine the gene-by-environment based decision-making systems plants use to allocate resources to foraging, growth, defence and reproduction. We will explore the relationships between environment and evolutionary influences that shape plant performance and tolerances in a range of environments, including deserts, mangroves, woodlands, seasonally-dry tropics, and wet forests. The responses of plants in a high CO2 world will also be discussed. Field- and laboratory-based experiments encourage students to develop skills required for data collection, analysis and communication of results, the ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically.

Learning Outcomes

• A systems knowledge of the diversity of mechanisms used by plants to tolerate physical and biological environments and to optimise performance within them;
• An understanding of the levels of integration between plants and environment in ecosystems;
• An appreciation of current understanding of the functional relationships between plant structure and the radiation of plant life;
• Development of laboratory skills in ecophysiological methods;
• Skills in field observation, data collection and scientific literacy.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to generate, calculate, interpret and communicate numerical information in ways appropriate to a given discipline or discourse.

Prerequisites:	(BT1001 OR AG1003) AND (BZ1001 OR AG1002) AND (CH1001 OR CH1011 OR BM1000)
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	AG2002

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Joseph Holtum
Lecturers:	Dr Joseph Holtum, Dr Peter Franks.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 24 hours practicals 6 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (55%); practical reports (35%); field note books (10%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Peter Franks
Lecturers:	Dr Joseph Holtum, Dr Peter Franks.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 24 hours practicals 6 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (55%); practical reports (35%); field notebook (10%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.