Plants and fungi in the field

The focus of this class is on the diversity and importance of plants and fungi in ecosystems, and hence their importance to us humans. It is an intensive class, earning 2 college credits in 4 weeks. In addition to schedule class time, you should be prepared to spend an additional 10-20 hours per week in study, the amount varying because of your different backgrounds and abilities.

The first three weeks will emphasize learning about diversity; in the last week we shall look at the effect of various environmental changes on ecosystem diversity.

Instructors: Mary Barkworth (mary@biology.usu.edu) (weeks 1, 3, and 4); Michael Piep (week 2).

Teaching Assistant: Sanjib Shrethsa, a graduate student working in mycology.

Schedule

The class meets from 8.40 am to noon, Monday through Thursday.

In general, we shall be in the field on Wednesdays. Be appropriately dressed and equipped. Equipment needed includes water.

There is major assignment: a collection. It must be handed in by Wednesday, June 6, at 5 pm.

There will be a small assignment on Mondays that we shall grade and give back to you on Tuesday. These will count minimally towards your final grade; their primary purpose is to help both you and us know whether you have understood the introductory material. With only four weeks, it is imperative that problems be clarified as soon as possible.

There will be a report assignment given to you on Thursdays which will be due in on the following Monday.

The first hour of the second to fourth Mondays will be a test on the previous week's work.

The final exam, which will be given on Thursday, June 7. It will consist of a practical and an exam that will require short paragraphs. Answering these paragraphs will require drawing on material covered throughout the course.

Weighting for grades:

6% Monday assignments; 24% weekly reports; 24% weekly test; 20% collection; 26% final exam.

Course outline

Week 1 Introduction and Plants part 1: Angiosperms

Ecosystems, taxonomy, class focus

Flowering plants: where they came from, what enabled them to out-compete their predecessors, requirements, adaptations.

Week 2 Fungi (taught by Michael Piep)

Fungi: overview of diversity, how they interact with other organisms, adaptations

Week 3 Plants part 2: Bryophytes

Mosses and liverworts: characteristics, adaptations, how they have hung on for all these years.

Week 4 Plants and fungi in ecosystems

Taxonomic concepts; Ecosystem changes over time; the future.