Systematic Biology: Plants

Abstract

This course 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 - the basic techniques for creating a herbarium.

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. The independent activity includes the creation of a herbarium of 15 native plant species, which must be handed in by 03.07. This work will be assessed as «pass» or «fail» by end of July.

Resources