About Functional Ecology of Plants (EEB
385)
This is a 3-credit, graduate-level
course. Prerequisites are an undergraduate course in ecology. Some knowledge of
plant physiology is helpful, but no formal coursework is required.
Course time: Tuesday/Thursday
9:30-10:45
Location: Chemistry 309
Professor Dr. Robin L. Chazdon
The best way to reach me is through
e-mail:
E-mail: chazdon@uconn.edu
voice/msg: (860) 486-4057
office: Bio/Pharmacy 205C
45 min lecture (background and recent literature), 20-30 min discussion focussed on assigned reading. Students will lead class discussions on a rotational basis. Be prepared!! We will also hold a debate (2 teams) and several classroom forums involving presentations by students on a general topic.
Assigned
readings include chapters from the textbook (Larcher, Physiological Plant Ecology) and articles from recent literature.
Read before class and be prepared to discuss. Bring your questions and
comments.
Check the course website (Vista/WebCT) frequently for lecture schedule, calendar, updates on lecture schedule, for research links to lecture material, reading assignments, and reference lists.
Photocopied articles (not available as PDF) will be on file in TLS 314 several days before the lecture. You may use cash copy-card (or your own personal EEB copy-card) to make personal copies.
Grade will be based on term paper
(40%), final exam (40%), and class participation (20%). Students are expected
to contribute to discussions during every class session.
One 10-12 term paper is required on a
topic related to this course. Paper should include scholarly literature review,
relationship to broader issues in plant functional ecology, and an original
synthesis of your selected topic. Topic must be approved by Professor Chazdon
before you begin selecting articles.
20 March: Term paper topic must be approved by Professor Chazdon
12 April: Outline of paper and
preliminary reference list
24 April: Term paper due
|
Date |
Topic |
Readings (Larcher 2003) |
|
16 Jan |
Introduction: the
scope and reach of plant functional ecology |
See website |
|
18 Jan |
Carbon uptake and
gas exchange |
Chap. 2 pp. 69-115 |
|
23 Jan |
Water relations |
Chap. 4 pp.231-252 |
|
25 Jan |
Hydraulic
architecture of woody and herbaceous plants |
Chap. 4 pp. 253-285 |
|
30 Jan |
Mineral nutrition
of plants |
Chap. 3 pp. 185-228 |
|
1 Feb |
Strategies of
nitrogen acquisition |
Chap. 3 203-211 |
|
6 Feb |
Responses to
variable light environments: ontogeny, plasticity, and adaptation |
Chap. 1 pp. 32-55; Chap. 2 pp. 115-145 |
|
8 Feb |
Responses to
variation in nutrient and water availability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 Feb |
Root architecture
and dynamics |
Chap. 1 pp. 10-15 |
|
15 Feb |
FORUM: Mycorrhizal
and rhizosphere associations |
Chap. 1 pp. 16-18 |
|
20 Feb |
Responses to
ultraviolet radiation and excess radiation |
Chap. 6 pp. 363-364 |
|
22 Feb |
Adaptation to extreme temperatures |
Chap. 6 pp. 367-396 |
|
27 Feb |
Adaptation to drought and salinity |
Chap. 6 pp.401-428 |
|
1 Mar |
Adaptation to flooding
and fires |
|
|
Spring Break |
|
|
|
13 Mar |
Effects of heavy
metals and atmospheric pollution on plant function |
Chap. 6 pp. 428-449 |
|
15 Mar |
FORUM: Effects of elevated CO2
and global climate change |
Chap. 2 pp. 66-67, 178-184 |
|
20 Mar |
Quantifying plant
growth |
Chap. 2 pp. 145-162 |
|
22 Mar |
Plant economics 1:
Costs and currencies of growth |
TBA |
|
27 Mar |
Plant economics 2:
Herbivory and leaf defense: costs and strategies |
Chap. 1 pp. 18-32 |
|
29 Mar |
Plant economics 3: Reproductive costs
and phenology |
Chap. 5 pp. 316-343 |
|
3 Apr |
Plant strategy
theory |
TBA |
|
5 Apr |
FORUM: Plant
functional groups |
|
|
10 Apr |
Genetic vs.
environmental control of ecophysiological processes |
TBA |
|
12 Apr |
Branch autonomy
and physiological units |
TBA |
|
17 Apr |
Functional ecology
of clonal plants |
TBA |
|
19 Apr |
DEBATE: Functional
traits in a phylogenetic context |
TBA |
|
24 Apr |
Global convergence
in plant function |
TBA |
|
26 Apr |
Scaling up plant
function; course evaluations |
TBA |
|
|
Final Exam |
|