207-202 Australian Flora

202-103 Biology for Land and Food Resources

On completion of this subject students should have the knowledge and an ability to identify the major taxonomic groups of the fungi, algae, non-vascular and vascular plants, and their basic biology, distribution and significance within the broader ecology of aquatic and terrestrial communities and ecosystems, and their roles in natural resource management.

The basic content includes:

• function and life cycle of the various major phylum groups within the Kingdom Plantae (Dinophyta, Chrysophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta, Hepatophyta, Brypohyta, Lycophyta, Filicophyta, Coniferophyta and Magnoliophyta);

• selected groups within the Kingdom Fungi (Deuteromycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Oomycota, Mycophyta) and Monera (Cyanobacteria);

• the roles of these groups within the major ecosystems of Australia;

• further identification of these groups, with a major emphasis on the higher land plants; and

• preparation of a collection of vascular and non-vascular land plants.

A 2-hour examination (40%), one practical test (20%), one 2000-word assignment (20%) and a plant collection of 50 specimens (20%).