Module Information

To introduce the student to the development and application of plant physiological principles to plant growth in natural and agricultural environments. Create an awareness of current and future changes in our environment impacting on plants. Give an insight into the effects of atmospheric pollution on plant growth and development. Provide information on existing legislation and global policy on climate change.

The approach adopted is designed to emphasise the close relationship between the biophysical, physiological and ecological aspects of the adaptation and acclimation of higher plants to aerial and sub-terranean environments. Key themes include the assessment and analysis of plant growth and carbon partitioning, the interactions of internal and external factors in determining photosynthetic efficiency and the seasonal control of growth and development. The concepts of biological stress and strain will be used to discuss plant adaptations and acclimation to a variety of environments and will provide a basis for discussion on limits to plant distribution. Students will then progress to study and assess the consequences for global and national plant life of climate change. The direct and indirect aspects of anthropogenic pollution are discussed in relation to impacts on plant physiological processes and consequences for ecological distribution. Direct aspects of pollution include plant exposure to increased levels of trophospheric ozone, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide while indirect aspects include factors promoting stratospheric ozone depletion, altered precipitation and global climate warming.

The practical projects reinforce and develop themes of the lecture course.