PLANT DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY

BOT2PDE

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Important aspects of biodiversity and its conservation in Australia are covered in this subject and represent an introduction to plant ecology and plant systematics. In the component on plant ecology, the broad topic of the effects of environmental and biotic factors on the distribution of plant species is covered. Topics discussed include community assembly, patterns of diversity in space and time, and plant population processes. In the component on plant diversity, the broad topic of the origin and evolution of the Australian flora is covered. Topics discussed include an introduction to plant systematics, the evolution and classification of flowering plants with particular reference to the Australian flora, plant geography of the Australian region and keys and identification of Australian flowering plants. A 4.5 day field trip to far western Victoria is an essential part of the subject.

School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Alison Kellow

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: BIO1EEB

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: Merit based quota management

Quota-conditions or rules: Preference is given to students admitted in SBSWBB and SBSC (Botany Major) then all other degrees by order of enrolment.

Special conditions: The field trip is an essential part of the subject and reports based on it are used in the final assessment. It is not possible to set alternative work. students will be camping, and need to provide own camping supplies, transport and food, so some costs will be involved, but kept to a minimum. All students must prepare a herbarium collection. Details will be provided at the beginning of the semester. This subject is available as an elective option for students, depending upon quota. Priority enrolment is given to students in the Bachelor of Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology), Bachelor of Science (Botany Major) and Bachelor of Biological Science.

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Botanical Field Guide

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Stefan Mager & Geoff Burrows

Year: 2011

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Mullumbimby, NSW: Aracariaguides

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Apply standard plant ecology sampling methods to survey vegetation and effectively communicate patterns of vegetation in a written report.
02. Preserve and classify botanical specimens consistent with disciplinary standards.
03. Describe and compare the characteristics and floral morphology of major Australian plant families.
04. Critically evaluate and synthesise scientific information to explain research findings and discuss plant diversity and ecological issues.
05. Utilise scientific data to solve real-world plant ecological problems.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: 90

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Alison Kellow

Class requirements

Field TripWeek: 40 - 0
One 4.50 days field trip other recurrence on weekdays during the day from week 40 to week 0 and delivered via face-to-face.
Duration 4.5 days during the mid-semester break.

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.00 hour lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
Six 3.00 hours practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Practical classes scheduled in weeks 3-6 and weeks 11-12

WorkShopWeek: 31 - 31
One 1.00 hour workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 31 and delivered via face-to-face.
Workshop Scheduled in week 1

WorkShopWeek: 39 - 41
Two 1.00 hour workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 39 to week 41 and delivered via face-to-face.
Computer workshops pre and post field trip. Weeks 39 and 41.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Field Trip Assessment (1,000-words equivalent)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO4

One 2-hour examination (2,000-words equivalent)

N/AN/AN/ANo40SILO4, SILO5

Practical Classes and Practical Assessment (750-words equivalent)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO3

Herbarium Assignment (500-words equivalent)

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO2, SILO3

Online Quiz (250-words equivalent)

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO4, SILO5