ANIMAL-PLANT INTERACTIONS

ENV3API

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Interactions between herbivores (vertebrate and invertebrate) and plants drive energy/nutrient exchange and biodiversity. Interactions between animals and plants have produced most of the diversity on planet Earth and are therefore fundamental to the discipline of ecology. This multidisciplinary subject will introduce you to the patterns and processes underlying herbivory and trophic mutualisms which will be linked to macroecological and macroevolutionary phenomena. The subject provides a foundation to understanding phenomena relevant to agriculture, forestry and natural resource management.

School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Martin Steinbauer

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: WCB2IC OR BOT2PDE OR ZOO2FE

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: Merit based quota management

Quota-conditions or rules: Academic performance in ZOO2FE or BOT2PDE or WCB2IC.

Special conditions: BIO2POS is recommended

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Macroevolutionary Theory on Macroecological Patterns

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Peter W. Price

Year: 2003

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Insect-Plant Biology

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Louis M. Schoonhoven, Joop J.A. van Loon & Marcel Dicke

Year: 2012

Edition/Volume: Second Edition

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Plant-Animal Interactions: An Evolutionary Approach

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Carlos M. Herrera & Olle Pellmyr

Year: 2002

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Define and utilise discipline-specific key terms associated with animal-plant interactions, specifically in the areas of herbivory, host specificity, plant defence/resistance, pollination and seed-dispersal - reinforced through group discussions of scientific literature.
02. Communicate with a coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audience, such as peers, scientific community, employers and the general public, both orally and in written form using correct grammar and terminology
03. Perform statistical analysis, consolidation and synthesis of data collected from scientific experiments, as well as interpretation of scientific data and journal articles to make evidence based conclusions consistent with discipline standards - practical components, undertaken with guidance of lab demonstrators.
04. Appreciate and be able to explain broader context of subject, e.g. with respect to protecting natural heritage of Australian ecosystems, managing invasive species, sustainable use of renewable natural resources and reduced reliance on pesticides in agriculture.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: 120

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Martin Steinbauer

Class requirements

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

PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.00 hours practical per week on weekdays from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Poster (250 words per student in groups of 4 to 5 students)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO4

Project/prac report (1000 words, individual)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4

Exam (2 hr, 2000 words)

N/AN/AN/ANo40SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4

Mini lit review. (750 words, individual)Topic of review of student's own choosing but relevant to animal-plant interactions in agriculture, forestry or natural resource management.

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO4