1. General information
Course:
FUNCTIONAL PLANT ECOLOGY
Code:
37332
Type:
ELECTIVE
ECTS credits:
4.5
Degree:
340 - UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMME IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Academic year:
2022-23
Center:
501 - FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND BIOCHEMISTRY
Group(s):
40
Year:
4
Duration:
First semester
Main language:
Spanish
Second language:
English
Use of additional languages:
English Friendly:
Y
Web site:
Bilingual:
N
Lecturer:
MARIA BELEN HINOJOSA CENTENO
- Group(s):
40
Building/Office
Department
Phone number
Email
Office hours
Sabatini/0.36
CIENCIAS AMBIENTALES
5470
mariabelen.hinojosa@uclm.es
Tuesday, wednesday and thursday from 12:00 to 14:00 (previous appointment by e-mail)
Lecturer:
ANTONIO PARRA DE LA TORRE
- Group(s):
40
Building/Office
Department
Phone number
Email
Office hours
ICAM/0.26
CIENCIAS AMBIENTALES
926051400
antonio.parra@uclm.es
Tuesday, wednesday and thursday from 12:00 to 14:00 (previous appointment by e-mail)
2. Pre-Requisites
Not established.
3. Justification in the curriculum, relation to other subjects and to the profession
Plant Functional Ecology is a discipline with a high relevance in the field of the Environmental Sciences, given the important role played by plants in ecosystems. This subject contemplates the ecophysiological basics that affect plant distribution in natural or naturalized environments, as well as the analysis of factors affecting the long-term success of plants in a given environment. Therefore, this subject will analyse the functional responses of plants to different stress situations, whether abiotic (water, nutrients, radiation, temperature, pollutants, etc.) or biotic (competition with other plants, herbivory, reactions to pathogens, etc.), with special attention to plant responses to face with adverse situations occurring nowadays, such as climate change, pollution or land-use changes. Moreover, the role of vegetation in carbon fixation and its importance in carbon footprint estimates will be emphasized.
This subject aims to improve the employability of the Environmental Sciences graduates in the field of forestry, agriculture and plant ecology, through the transfer of theoretical concepts and technical field/laboratory training related to the basic aspects of the Plant Functional Ecology.
The subject of Plant Functional Ecology belongs to the module of scientific bases of the natural environment, and it has a direct relationship with basic and obligatory subjects such as Biology and Ecology. At the same time, this subject gives a fundamental knowledge that will help to consolidate those contemplated in other optative subjects related to the curricular intensification "Conservation, environmental planning and management" such as Fire Ecology, Aquatic Ecosystems or Terrestrial Ecosystems, besides other matters related with the curricular intensification "Analysis and technologies of the environment" such as Ecological Restoration.
4. Degree competences achieved in this course
| Course competences | |
|---|---|
| Code | Description |
| CB01 | Prove that they have acquired and understood knowledge in a subject area that derives from general secondary education and is appropriate to a level based on advanced course books, and includes updated and cutting-edge aspects of their field of knowledge. |
| CB02 | Apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional manner and show that they have the competences to construct and justify arguments and solve problems within their subject area. |
| CB03 | Be able to gather and process relevant information (usually within their subject area) to give opinions, including reflections on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues. |
| CB04 | Transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions for both specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| E01 | Ability to understand and apply basic knowledge. |
| E03 | Awareness of the temporal and spatial dimensions of environmental processes |
| E04 | Ability to integrate experimental evidence found in field and/or laboratory studies with theoretical knowledge. |
| E05 | Capacity for qualitative data interpretation |
| E06 | Capacity for quantitative data interpretation |
| E13 | Ability to handle software. |
| T02 | To know and apply the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). |
| T03 | To use a correct oral and written communication. |
5. Objectives or Learning Outcomes
| Course learning outcomes | |
|---|---|
| Description | |
| Understand the main functional mechanisms of plants that explain their geographical distribution, and their influence on biogeochemical cycles, particularly carbon and water. | |
| Analyze the response of plants to the changing conditions of their environment as well as the availability of resources, with special emphasis on situations of environmental stress. | |
| Additional outcomes | |
| Description | |
| Know the main interactions, both positive and negative, of plants with other organisms, and characteristics of the plant that determine or influence such interactions. | |
| Acquire skill in sampling criteria, management of basic research equipment, data preparation and presentation of results related to Plant Functional Ecology. | |
| Make simple observations, ask questions and formulate hypotheses in a student's environment related to Plant Functional Ecology. | |
6. Units / Contents
-
Unit 1: Introduction to Plant Functional Ecology
-
Unit 2: Acquisition and balance of resources: plant adaptations
-
Unit 2.1: Energy
-
Unit 2.2: Carbon
-
Unit 2.3: Water
-
Unit 2.4: Mineral nutrients
-
-
Unit 3: Plant responses to environmental stress
-
Unit 3.1: Temperature
-
Unit 3.2: Soils with extreme characteristics
-
Unit 3.3: Atmospheric pollution
-
-
Unit 4: Biotic interactions of plants
-
Unit 4.1: Plant-plant interactions
-
Unit 4.2: Plant-organism interactions
-
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, REMARKS
The practicals and the field trip of the subject will deal with several of the topics covered in the theoretical part, such as the adaptations of plants to light, their functional response to drought or their capacity as a sink for CO2 emissions.
7. Activities, Units/Modules and Methodology
| Training Activity | Methodology | Related Competences (only degrees before RD 822/2021) | ECTS | Hours | As | Com | Description | |
| Class Attendance (theory) [ON-SITE] | Lectures | CB01 CB02 CB03 E01 E03 E04 E05 E06 | 0.88 | 22 | N | N | Lectures. All the teaching material will be available on the virtual platform. | |
| Workshops or seminars [ON-SITE] | Workshops and Seminars | CB03 CB04 T02 T03 | 0.16 | 4 | Y | N | Students will present and discuss scientific articles and/or assignments related to the field trip. | |
| Other off-site activity [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | CB03 CB04 E04 | 0.24 | 6 | N | N | Preparation of workshops and seminars to be presented in class. | |
| Class Attendance (practical) [ON-SITE] | Practical or hands-on activities | CB02 CB03 CB04 E04 E05 E06 E13 T02 T03 | 0.6 | 15 | Y | Y | Practical field and laboratory work. Attendance at practicals is compulsory and, by their nature, cannot be made up. | |
| Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | E04 E05 E06 | 0.9 | 22.5 | Y | Y | Preparation of a report about the practical sessions. | |
| Mid-term test [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | CB01 CB02 E01 T03 | 0.04 | 1 | Y | N | Mid-term test on the theoretical contents of the course, which may eliminate material for the final exam. | |
| Study and Exam Preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | CB01 CB02 CB03 E01 E03 E04 E05 E06 | 1.56 | 39 | N | N | Study and preparation of the evaluation tests. | |
| Final test [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | CB01 CB02 E01 E03 T03 | 0.12 | 3 | Y | Y | Final test to evaluate the theoretical knowledge acquired. | |
| Total: | 4.5 | 112.5 | ||||||
| Total credits of in-class work: 1.8 | Total class time hours: 45 | |||||||
| Total credits of out of class work: 2.7 | Total hours of out of class work: 67.5 | |||||||
As: Assessable training activity Com: Training activity of compulsory overcoming (It will be essential to overcome both continuous and non-continuous assessment).
8. Evaluation criteria and Grading System
| Evaluation System | Continuous assessment | Non-continuous evaluation * | Description |
| Mid-term tests | 30.00% | 0.00% | Mid-term test which may eliminate material for the final exam. Minimum mark of 4 out of 10 to pass this activity. |
| Final test | 30.00% | 70.00% | Final test with a weight of 30% of the total of the subject if the mid-term test has been passed. In case of not having passed the mid-term test, or opting for non-continuous assessment, it will be necessary to take the whole subject in the final test (weight of 60% and 70% respectively). Minimum mark of 4 out of 10 to pass this activity. |
| Practicum and practical activities reports assessment | 30.00% | 30.00% | Assessment of the practical part of the subject by means of a written report. Minimum mark of 4 out of 10 to pass this activity. |
| Other methods of assessment | 10.00% | 0.00% | Assessment of the topics presented in the seminars and/or the tasks related to the field trip. |
| Total: | 100.00% | 100.00% |
According to art. 4 of the UCLM Student Evaluation Regulations, it must be provided to students who cannot regularly attend face-to-face training activities the passing of the subject, having the right (art. 12.2) to be globally graded, in 2 annual calls per subject , an ordinary and an extraordinary one (evaluating 100% of the competences).
Evaluation criteria for the final exam:
-
Continuous assessment:Students will be assigned by default to the continuous assessment program. Any student can request transfer to the non-continuous evaluation (before classes have ended) by sending an email to the professor, as long as the student has not taken part of 50% of evaluable activities.
The evaluable activities to be carried out are the following:
MID-TERM TEST: There will be a non-compulsory mid-term exam, which may eliminate material for the final exam. Minimum mark of 4 out of 10 to pass this activity.
FINAL TEST: There will be a compulsory final exam to evaluate the theoretical knowledge acquired. In case of not having passed the mid-term test, it will be necessary to take the whole subject in the final test. A minimum mark of 4 out of 10 is required to pass this activity.
PRACTICAL REPORT: A compulsory written report will be prepared to evaluate the practical knowledge acquired. Minimum mark of 4 out of 10 to pass this activity.
OTHER SEMINARS AND/OR TASKS: Other non-compulsory evaluable activities which do not require a minimum mark.
All evaluable activities will be recoverable, either in the extraordinary or special call for completion. However, attendance to the practicals, due to their nature, is considered as a compulsory and non-recoverable activity in order to pass the subject. In any case, the subject will only be considered passed if the overall grade, weighting the different evaluable activities according to the table above, results in a mark of 5 or higher (out of 10). -
Non-continuous evaluation:The same criteria will be applied in non-continuous assessment than in continuous assessment, taking into account the weightings shown in the table above.
Specifications for the resit/retake exam:
The same criteria will be applied in the extraordinary session than in the ordinary session. In this call, it will only be necessary to pass the part/s of the ordinary call that have not been passed with at least a 4 out of 10. In any case, the subject will only be considered passed if the overall grade, weighting the different evaluable activities according to the table above, results in a mark of 5 or higher (out of 10).
Specifications for the second resit / retake exam:
The same criteria will be applied in the special call for completion than in the extraordinary session. In this call, it will only be necessary to pass the part/s of the previous year that have not been passed with at least a 4 out of 10. In any case, the subject will only be considered passed if the overall grade, weighting the different evaluable activities according to the table above, results in a mark of 5 or higher (out of 10).
9. Assignments, course calendar and important dates
| Not related to the syllabus/contents | |
|---|---|
| Hours | hours |
| Workshops or seminars [PRESENCIAL][Workshops and Seminars] | 4 |
| Other off-site activity [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 6 |
| Class Attendance (practical) [PRESENCIAL][Practical or hands-on activities] | 15 |
| Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 22.5 |
| Mid-term test [PRESENCIAL][Assessment tests] | 1 |
| Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 39 |
| Final test [PRESENCIAL][Assessment tests] | 3 |
| Unit 1 (de 4): Introduction to Plant Functional Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Activities | Hours |
| Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 2 |
| Unit 2 (de 4): Acquisition and balance of resources: plant adaptations | |
|---|---|
| Activities | Hours |
| Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 10 |
| Unit 3 (de 4): Plant responses to environmental stress | |
|---|---|
| Activities | Hours |
| Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 6 |
| Unit 4 (de 4): Biotic interactions of plants | |
|---|---|
| Activities | Hours |
| Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 4 |
| Global activity | |
|---|---|
| Activities | hours |
10. Bibliography and Sources