606-302 Marine and Freshwater Botany

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Botany 606-202 or permission of the coordinator.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Topics to be covered include:

• the biology and diversity of algal protists;
• the evolution and phylogeny of protists;
• algal structure, taxonomy and classification;
• algal reproduction and life histories;
• endosymbiosis and the origin of algal chloroplasts;
• distribution and ecology of aquatic plants;
• aquatic environments and global ecology; and
• the commercial utilisation of marine algal products.

The practical component will introduce students to identifying and classifying micro- and macroalgae from marine and freshwater habitats. Identifying and characterising algal pigments and use of light and electron microscopes for studying microalgae. Field work along the Victorian coast will focus on the identification and ecology of Australia's unique seaweed flora. At the completion of the subject, students should have developed an understanding of:

• the biology and diversity of algal protists;
• algal reproduction and significance of their life history strategies;
• the origin and phylogenetic significance of algal chloroplasts and pigments;
• practical skills in identifying the major groups of marine and freshwater algae;
• the biology of toxic algae and their impact;
• practical skills in light and electron microscopy of algal protists;
• the unique nature of the Australian seaweed flora; and
• current themes in algal research.

Assessment

A 3-hour written examination in the week following the end of the subject, two 2-hour laboratory examinations and up to three field reports of 6-10 pages each.