Plant adaptation to extreme environments

Practical course and Seminar "Plant adaptation to extreme environments"

This module will present a diverse array of plants, such as xerophytes, epiphytes, halophytes, water plants, carnivorous and parasitic plants, which all have successfully adapted to environments commonly regarded as stressful. The eco-physiological background and reasons for different stresses are introduced and discussed. Different strategies are investigated that have allowed plants to cope with these stressful environments by means of natural selection of characteristic morphological, anatomical and physiological traits. The practical course will make use of living (and conserved) plant materials on the basis of which morphological and anatomical structures will be documented. The context between plant form and function may be demonstrated with simple physiological experiments.
Every participant of this module will give an oral presentation of a scientific publication dealing with plant adaptations to one or more environmental stressors, in the course of the seminar.
Active participation in the practical course and the seminar as well as a graded written exam at the end will be the requirements to pass this module.

02.11. - 12.11.2021 (Practical course)
15.11. - 16.11.2021 (Seminar)

Laboratory/practical room Menzinger Str. 67 and Botanical Garden