BS23220 - CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANTS

Module Identifier

BS23220

Module Title

CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANTS

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

Dr Aileen R Smith

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Dylan G Jones

Pre-Requisite

BS13810, BS10810

Course delivery

Lecture

30 x 1h lectures

Practical

15 Hours. (5 x 3 hours)

Seminars / Tutorials

1 x 2 hour seminar

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	3 Hours One 3-hour theory paper	60%
Semester Assessment	2 Hours Practical Exercise: One 2 hour practical	40%
Supplementary Assessment	3 Hours One 3-hour theory paper	60%
Supplementary Assessment	2 Hours One 2-hour practical	40%

Learning outcomes

On completion of the modules students should

have advanced their knowledge and understanding of many of the aspects of plant eco-physiology which were introduced in Module BS11810
have an increased awareness of aspects of the biological and social significance of changing climate
be able to write-up experiments in the form of a scientific paper.

Aims

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.

Content

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.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Salisbury, F.B. & Ross, C.W. (1992) Plant physiology Wadsworth.

Web Page/Sites
** Recommended Background
http://www.aber.ac.uk/climate http://www.aber.ac.uk/climate

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5