Aims
To provide a basic knowledge about the diversity, variation, and taxonomy of vascular plants based on their morphological, chemical, molecular and anatomical characters.
Content
The vascular plants have evolved during the last 4-500 million years and are now the dominant plant group in every terrestrial environment on Earth. Their adaptations to terrestrial life include the development of a highly differentiated plant body and reproductive organs of a complex and often sophisticated nature. Evolution of specialized dispersal units has facilitated the spread of vascular plants to all continents. This course describes the different groups of vascular plants, from the most ancient seed-less plants to the most highly specialized angiosperm families, and examines how primitive forms have evolved to continuously more advanced forms. Different systems for the classification of vascular plants will be presented. Cladistic theory is introduced and it is shown how a variety of morphological, cytological, and molecular characters are combined to construct modern classification systems that reflect relationships among the groups. An individual project provides an opportunity to study a specific topic in detail, for example the evolution of a particular organ or organ group and its importance in classification.
Teaching
4 hours of lectures, 6 hours of lab exercises, and 2 hours of green house excursions per week during 11 weeks, plus an individual project including an oral presentation. Every week a report covering the material studied at the exercises must be submitted. Lab exercises (incl. report), green house excursions, and project work are compulsory.
Textbooks
Judd, W.S. et al. Plant Systematics, a Phylogenetic Approach. Sinauer Associates, Inc. 1999. 464 pp.
Evaluation
Oral exam with evaluation, including the project report, according to the 13-scale.
ECTS-credits
15
Semester
Spring 2004