Plant knowledge and vegetation ecology
I kursen analyseras och diskuteras hortikulturella växters ståndortspreferenser samt att förmågan att beskriva och analysera naturliga biotopers ekologi inklusive markförhållanden utvecklas genom att använda tillgängliga verktyg. Detta sker genom fältövningar, seminarier, litteraturstudier samt föreläsningar och redovisas i ett skriftligt arbete som presenteras muntligt.
Obligatoriska moment som ingår är övningar och seminariearbete med skriftlig och muntlig redovisning.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LK0433 Plant knowledge and vegetation ecology, 7.5 Credits
Växtkännedom och vegetationsekologiSubjects
Landscape Architecture BiologyEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelAdvanced study in the main field
First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G1F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
SwedishPrior knowledge
Knowledge to the equivalent of 15 credits in biologyObjectives
The course aims to provide students with specialised knowledge about plants, vegetation and natural habitats, and open up for new, topical fields of knowledge within ecology.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• identify the relevant basic collection of wild and cultivated plants
under different growing conditions and growth stages
• describe the trade quality of the basic assortment of plants on sale
• understand and describe ecological relationships in natural habitats
• demonstrate the ability to read subject literature both critically and analytically, based on current ecology fields relevant to the industry
• demonstrate the ability to present a discursive text based on current ecology fields relevant to the industry.
Content
During the course, students develop knowledge about the areas of use, hardiness, origin, trade quality and experience value from plant materials taken from a basic assortment. This primarily comprises conifers and woody shrubs and winter twigs.
The course includes analyses and discussions about the preferred habitats of horticultural plants. Students work based on habitat gradients, and present their work orally in seminar formats. Students also develop their ability to describe and analyse the ecology of natural biotopes and soil conditions. Field inventorying is an important component for supporting the learning process.
Students will write a discursive text including a discussion based on a subject relating to an area of ecology that is topical in both society and the landscape engineering industry. The text is to be based on scientific literature, lectures and seminars. The subjects addressed are essential for society’s sustainable development, such as ecosystem services, biodiversity and invasive species.
Teaching formats:
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used: lectures, specific literature, exercises, field exercises, seminars, oral presentations and written assignments.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
scientific methods, information skills, critical thinking and oral and written communication.
The following course components are compulsory: seminars, field exercises, written assignments and examinations.
Collaboration with the surrounding community takes place through field exercises at plant nurseries, invited lecturers and seminar leaders from research and industry, and through work with topical ecology subject fields relevant to the industry.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Successful participation in compulsory components, passed written examination and passed written discussion assignment.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management