Plant Diversity

Overview

This course will introduce students to the taxonomy and evolution of plants, enabling them to find some order in the huge variety of plant species inhabiting the earth. Evidence for evolutionary relationships will be discovered through examining the structure, diversity of form, and life cycles of major plant groups. Each class will involve some practical work ­– examining or drawing the groups being studied. Emphasis will be on major groups, since the subject area is so extensive.

This is a core module for the Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology. This blended learning course enables you to study from home and participate in an online community of other students learning about Plant Diversity. There will be optional in-person sessions held in Aberystwyth that students are encouraged to attend if possible. Alternative online content will be provided for students unable to attend the in-person sessions.

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.

• Unit 1 - Introduction to evolutionary biology
• Unit 2 - Introduction to plant adaptive traits
• Unit 3 - Life cycles and reproductive characteristics
• Unit 4 - Plant adaptations including: mesophytes, halophytes, xerophytes and hydrophytes.
• Unit 5 - Flora structure and pollination mechanisms in selected flowering plant families
• Unit 6 - Major taxa with an emphasis on – Hepaticae, Musci and Filicinae, including an examination of structure, life cycles, and      evolutionary status.

         Workshops 

• Plant specimen Identification
• Botanical Illustration of key evolutionary features of plants from different key groups (no artistic skill required)
  

         Field Visit

• Plant Identification of tropical and temperate biomes (tropical greenhouse and Penglais Wood, Aberystwyth)
• Specimen collection and sampling techniques

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the major taxonomic groupings in the plant kingdom and their evolutionary relationship.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the diagnostic features and life cycles in selected major taxonomic groups.
3. Describe the reproductive strategies, flower structure and pollination mechanism of selected plant families.
4. Discuss adaptions and evaluate and compare survival strategies of a range of plant species. 

Assessments

1. Botanical Notebook of a minimum of 10 species total with at least one individual from each of the following: mesophytes, halophytes, Xerophytes, and Hydrophytes. 40%

2. Written essay on evolutionary adaptations of one of the following: mesophytes, halophytes, Xerophytes, or Hydrophytes, using 4 named examples of species from these groups and discussing their evolution and reproductive strategies (1,500 words). 60%

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements. 

What Do I Need?

As this is an blended course, you would need the following:

• Internet access.
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also benefit.

Use of the Chrome web browser where possible.