BI3PB78-Diversity and Identification of Plants

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Some experience of study of plants (including herbarium volunteering) is desirable
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Alastair Culham
Email: a.culham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

An introduction to the diversification and identification of land plants, with emphasis on Flowering Plants, and the collections that underpin plant taxonomy.Ìý

Aims:

The aims of this module are to develop skills in the identification of plants, to understand the basis of phylogenetic classification, to develop a working knowledge of the taxonomic system on which classification is based, to become familiar with the working of a herbarium.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

The students will be able to interpret reproductive and vegetative structure, to recognise the combinations of characters used to define plant families. They will be able to use keys to place an unknown plant in a named family. The students will be able to describe the principle morphological features of the principal groups of lycophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The underlying evidence and principles of molecular systematics, the construction of phylogenetic trees, and the interpretation of phylogeny within a taxonomic framework. The processes involved in running and managing a herbarium collection, the requirements to fulfil in making a good herbarium specimen. The students will be able to communicate plant diversity to a wide audience.Ìý

Additional outcomes:

Familiarity with selected plant families worldwide. Familiarity with major UK plant collections. Communication of plant descriptions. Development of Web 2.0 skills

Outline content:

The module is based around the book Plant Systematics by M.G. Simpson and you will be set weekly reading from this. The basic structure of land plants will be introduced and the terminology used in descriptive botany explained. The characteristic features and relationships of the major groups of lycophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms are presented. Morphological features are considered by reference to living and preserved material and illustrations. Recognition of the major families will be taught as a particularly useful first step in plant identification. Selected temperate and tropical plant families will be discussed in terms of their defining characteristics, their role in major plant communities, and their economic importance. The interpretation of herbarium material. Molecular data handling, phylogenetic tree construction and the interpretation of phylogenies.ÌýEach week we will have a seminar session to discuss questions arising from the previous week’s reading.Ìý In addition there will be practical use of herbarium and living plant specimens to aid in the understanding of botanical terminology and plant identification.Ìý Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

: Lectures, laboratory practical classes and herbarium use.