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Systematic Biology: Plants
Systematische Biologie: Pflanzen
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:37:29
Abstract
The lecture provides an overview of the diversity of ferns and seed plants. The fundamentals of systematics are taught considering morphological, phylogenetic and ecological aspects. Regarding plant species, emphasis is laid on the flora of Switzerland, but also examples of pharmaceutical relevance and crops will be included.
Objective
Students know: - the fundamentals of plant systematics - the higher-level plant groups based on morphological and biological characteristics - 32 selected families of flowering plants - 200 selected species and their ecology, with special focus on the flora of Switzerland - examples of medicinal plants and crops - the most important site characteristics and vegetation types of the lowlands.
Content
The lecture provides an overview of mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Selected families of angiosperms are treated in detail. Further topics include basics in plant systematics, alternation of generation, phylogenetic trees, morphological terms, as well as life history and ecology of plants. Based on selected examples, we will discuss the medical, agricultural and ecological importance of plants. Finally, students get some insights into the ecological conditions and typical vegetation types of the Swiss lowlands. In the practical part, students learn to analyse characteristics of flowering plants and practise plant species identification. During the excursions, students get to learn the local species, which make up the flora and vegetation of selected sites in the Swiss lowlands.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Useful course materials will be made available via Moodle.
Literature
Baltisberger et al., Systematische Botanik: Einheimische Farn- und Samenpflanzen. vdf Hochschulverlag AG an der ETH Zürich (4. Aufl. 2013). Hess et al., Bestimmungsschlüssel zur Flora der Schweiz. Springer, Basel (7. Aufl. 2015). Free access for students at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-0348-0896-5 Stützel, Botanische Bestimmungsübungen. UTB, Ulmer Verlag (3. Aufl. 2015). Free access for students at https://elibrary.utb.de/doi/book/10.36198/9783838587790 Baltisberger et al. 2019: weBot. Web application. Free access for students at https://www.webot.ethz.ch/
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- Fachneutrales Wörterbuch für Studierende nicht-deutscher Muttersprache
- Digital
- The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 01.03.2024
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Systematische Biologie: Pflanzen |
|
2 h weekly |
| practical/laboratory course |
Systematische Biologie: Pflanzen
Bestimmungspraktikum ab 28.03.2024
Exkursionen jeweils am Samstag 27.04.; 04.05.; 18.05.; 25.05.2024
|
|
3 h weekly |