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Plant Ecology (HORT10013)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Burnley)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
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Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focuses on interactions between plants and the environment and how interactions between plants and other organisms shape the distribution, abundance and structure of global terrestrial plant communities. Particular attention is paid to the structure of Australian plant communities, including descriptions of different plant ecological strategies and life-form classifications. Students are introduced to key ecosystem processes which describe how plant communities develop over time and respond to succession and disturbance change; as well as fundamental concepts including the global cycling of critical carbon, nitrogen and water resources. These concepts are discussed in the context of both natural and managed systems, with particular reference to plant selection and management in urban environments
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- understand how individual plants and plant communities are affected by the environment;
- understand complex interactions between plants and between plants and other organisms;
- describe the structure of Australian plant communities;
- describe major plant ecological strategies and life-form classifications;
- analyse and interpret basic plant distribution and abundance data collected from the field;
- understand key ecological processes such as disturbance and succession and be able to apply this knowledge to urban plant management; and
- identify suitable plant communities to source plants from for a range of applications in urban plant management.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- find, analyse and synthesise information from both academic and professional literature
- produce sound written reports based on scientific information
- demonstrate correct referencing and academic writing styles
- demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills; and
- understand group dynamics and effective team work
Last updated: 11 October 2023