Flora of Victoria

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

The course examines the diversity of the Victorian Flora, its early exploration by European botanists, the number of indigenous species and the increase in the number of exotics in our native bushland following settlement.

Natural biogeographic regions are studied in terms of their soils, climate, location and diversity of vegetation types. The biology of plants in wet forests, mallee and grasslands are examples considered in some depth, and an excursion to the Anglesea area introduces sclerophyll shrublands and dry forests in a coastal setting. Another excursion will be held in week two to Mt Macedon where we will study subalpine snow gum open forest. Staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens will introduce you to Victorian fungi, their biology, ecological role and how to identify some of them. The course concludes with a discussion of major conservation issues facing Victoria.

At the end of this course you will have achieved:

• knowledge of the diversity, biology and management of the Victorian Flora;
• knowledge of the natural regions and evolutionary history of Victoria;
• skills in identifying vascular plants and angiosperm families;
• skills in identifying fungi;
• skills in observing and studying plant structure;
• skills in assessing vegetation in the field;
• skills to enable you to discover more about the flora yourself.

Written assignments of 1500 words total due during the subject (10%); written assignment of 3000 words due at the start of Semester 1 (25%); a 2-hour written examination in the summer semester examination period (65%).

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• This subject should provide you with knowledge of the diversity and biology of the Victorian Flora, especially the vascular, flowering plants. It is presented in the context of understanding the natural regions and evolutionary history of Victoria.
• You should gain generic skills in identifying flowering plant families and genera by the use of identification tools, including both written keys and computer-based interactive keys.
• You should develop your observation skills and knowledge of plant and fungi structures.
• Through reports you should enhance your written presentation skills and abilities to interpret literature.
• Through field excursions you should learn to observe and describe vegetation patterns, and develop skills to enable you to discover more about the flora yourself.