220-334 Trees, Genes and Environment

600-142 Genetics and Evolution of Life, 202-201 Plant Function, 207-270 Wood Science

On completion of this subject, students should:

• have a good understanding of tree development and wood formation;

• have a basic understanding of plant molecular biology;

• appreciate the molecular basis of tree morphology, development and anatomy;

• know about methods for and implications of biotechnological modification of tree characteristics;

• understand molecular aspects of biodiversity;

• comprehend the importance of environmental triggers in tree development; and

• understand the importance of the application of modern approaches in forest management and research.

Subject content includes:

• life cycles and tree development;

• basic tree molecular biology;

• molecular aspects of wood quality, flowering and tree responses to environmental stresses;

• forest biotechnology; and

• assessment of genetic diversity within and between populations.

One 3-hour written examinations (50% of final marks), and two 3000-word assignments (one mid semester, one end-of-semester, each 25% of final marks).

• P H Raven, R F Evert and S E Eichhorn, Biology of Plants. 6th edn, W H Freeman & Co/Worth Publishers, 1999.