BIOL 5407 Plant Ecology
This course will introduce students to the theoretical framework and current research in plant ecology. Plant ecology focuses on factors that influence the distribution and abundance of plants and their interactions with each other and their environment. Resource availability, seed dispersal, competition, herbivory, and disturbances all interact to influence plant survival and growth, and topics such as these are the focus of this class. We will also address timely issues relevant to current research in plant ecology such as exotic species invasions, global climate change, and human-driven changes to disturbance regimes. These topics will be discussed in relation to the primary scientific literature and other mainstream sources such as newspapers and magazines.
Prerequisite
Graduate Standing.
Offered
As scheduled