208-211 Plant Communities in Action

This subject should provide students with a basic understanding of the physiological principles and processes that underpin the performance of plant communities (native and crop) particularly in response to their edaphic environment. The basic mechanisms underlying nutrient, water and carbon acquisition will be considered as well as growth co-ordination at a plant and community level. The impact of abiotic and biotic stresses on the performance of plants and communities will also be considered in relation to current and future stresses such as climate change.

These principles of plant community operation should be demonstrated to students through field measurements of the productivity and limiting factors of crops and native communities.

At the completion of this subject students should have developed a knowledge of plants and how they act in communities, and an ability to analyse the behaviour of plants and plant communities in the field in relation to natural and managerial intervention and recommend actions.

A three-hour exam (50%), a practical report equivalent to 2000 words (25%) and an assignment of 2000 words (25%).

• Atwell B., Kriedemann P. and Turnbull C. (Eds.) (1999)., Plants in Action. McMillan, Melbourne.