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Tree Growth and Function (HORT90041)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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Overview

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February - Online
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Environmental stresses such as drought, extreme heat and severe wind events are increasing in their severity in urban environments. This subject aims to help students understand how and why urban trees are vulnerable to such stresses. Urban tree biology and function is constantly compromised through human intervention. This subject aims to help student to understand the structure and function that underpins tree biology and its importance for urban tree managers. Tree stress adaption mechanisms will be investigated from a cellular to a whole tree level. This subject will be delivered through participation in a six-day intensive on-line workshop delivered over a two-week period including lectures, tutorials and do-at-home “kitchen-bench” or computer-based practical activities and a subsequent 9-week period of on-line subject delivery and assessment.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Explain the physiology and development of all tree parts, including roots, leaves, branches, bark and wood;
  • Appraise the essential functions of trees: photosynthesis, water transport and respiration and the implications to plant growth and development;
  • Evaluate the key anatomical features of angiosperm and gymnosperm trees and the implications for function and safety mechanisms;
  • Analyse different environmental stresses on trees (e.g. drought, low or high temperature) that influence tree biology and anatomy; and
  • Contrast the physiological and anatomical strategies that trees use to respond and adapt to environmental stresses and the effect these have on tree responses to the environment.

Generic skills

Through participation in all class activities and completion of assessment, students should acquire skills in:

  • Technical and discipline areas, skills and values; for example by understanding the influence that a tree’s anatomy has on its function;
  • Investigation and analysis; for example by undertaking do-at-home “kitchen-bench” or computer-based  experiments, collecting and analysing data and reporting on such experiments after critically evaluating the relevant scientific literature;
  • Critical thinking and problem solving; for example, through recognising and mitigating the effects of environmental stresses on trees; and
  • Time and organisational management; for example, by successfully scheduling and submitting assessment tasks.

Last updated: 11 October 2023