Plant Ecology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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

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.

1 hour examination (30%) mid semester, 1.5 hour examination (40%) end semester, Report of 1500 words (30%) end semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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