Course Description
Principles of plant reproductive and physiological ecology as they relate to plant ecological and evolutionary success, including pollination ecology, breeding systems, patterns of gene flow via pollen and seed dispersal, flower arrangement and phenology, water relations, photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, stress physiology, growth and adaptations.
Athena Title
Plant Reprod and Physiol Ecol
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ECOL 8120, PBIO 8120
Prerequisite
Permission of major
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
(1) Students will master the concepts, principles, and methodology analytical procedures of plant reproductive and physiological ecology, (2) Students will critically engage the primary literature through assigned readings and discussions, (3) In discussion sessions, students will discuss developing techniques for conducting plant reproductive and physiological ecology experiments, including designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and presenting results in oral and written formats.
Topical Outline
Section 1: Plant Reproductive Ecology -ecological and evolutionary context of plant reproductive ecology -pollination ecology -evolution of floral traits -breeding system evolution -patterns of gene flow via pollen and seed dispersal -implications of reproductive biology for demography Section 2: Plant Physiological Ecology - ecological and evolutionary context of plant physiological ecology -water relations -photosynthesis -mineral nutrition -stress physiology -scaling to whole plant growth and plant success