BZ3615 - Plant Survival in a Land of Fire, Flood and Drought

[Not offered in 2019]

We explore the origins of the Australian flora and the strategies that allow plants to survive and proliferate in variable and unpredictable Australian environments. We examine how climate has changed and plants have adjusted during the northward drifting of Australia. Knowledge of plant survival strategies, in particular the responses of plants to drought and fire, is used to provide a framework for assessing the resilience and vulnerability of our living flora to changing climate. Practical skills in this subject will be provided in field-based learning activities 'out bush', where we will quantify ecological, reproductive and physiological survival strategies.

Learning Outcomes

• to develop practical field based and laboratory skills in evaluating plant survival strategies;
• to understand the nature of climate change and its effects on plants and ecosystem processes;
• to gain an understanding of strategies plants adopt to survive in a variety of terrestrial environments;
• to apply the knowledge gained to evaluate plant species survival in the context of a changing climate.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.