ENV BIOL 2510 - Plant Identification II

Students gain a basic understanding of the diversity of plants and develop specialised technical skills in the identification of vascular plants. This course has an atypical distribution of contact hours and student workload during the semester; learning activities include online preparation ahead of the focus intensive one week face-to-face period within the mid-semester break, after which students have face-to-face workshops to support their project. The course is taught in the context of the origins of Australian plant diversity with special emphasis on selected and iconic Australian plant groups. Native and introduced plant groups are emphasised in practical studies and some emphasis will be placed on understanding the status of rare, threatened and priority weed plant groups. Field and practical experience will include study of plant diversity of local natural and managed habitats. Skills developed in this course include the description and identification of vascular plants along with a basic understanding of land based non-vascular plant groups. The skills developed will provide a sound basis contributing to investigating evolutionary processes and describing biodiversity.