Content (Syllabus outline)
Abiotic factors and plants (co-evolution of plants and their environment – historical and present conditions).
The mechanisms for optimised energy harvesting,
CO2 uptake and biomass production in relation to environmental factors, changes in atmosphere, the development of carbon concentrating mechanisms, availability of CO2, dark respiration in relation to different conditions.
Water relations in different functional plant groups (trade-of between CO2 uptake and water loss) poikilohydric and homoiohyric plants.
Plants in extreme habitats (acid and alkaline soil, oligotrophic habitats, different Ca availability, salt rich soils and soils with excess of heavy metals).
Ecology of growth and development, developmental stages of the plant life cycle, seasonality, phonological stages as an indicator of weather characteristics and climate changes).
Survival strategies of constrains in the environment (stresses due to non-favourable radiation – PAR and UV-B, extreme temperatures, flooding and oxygen deficiency, drought, salinity; and disturbances: grazing, fire, ice, snow, wind) in different functional and ecological plant groups. Rhizosphere interactions.
Ecological importance of biotic interactions (carnivory, epiphytism, mycorrhiza).
Practical work includes measurements and observations mainly in field. Students practice methods and measurement techniques to assess plants’ activity in relation to environmental factors. Field work is performed in different habitats and ecosystems.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for inclusion in the work:
- enrolment in the appropriate academic year
Prerequisites for performing study obligations:
Practical examination (colloquium):
-presence at practicals
- presence at field work and approved reports
Exam:
- seminar in written form and presentation of the seminar