ENV42115

Today's complex ecosystems and requisite biodiversity could not exist without the flowers and fruits of plants. This course is a field-based botanical exploration of the natural history of Angiospermae: flowering plants, with emphasis on learning botanical terminology and ecological concepts through field-observable characteristics of plants in the context of their native habitats. We will focus on the flora of the Mogollon Highlands region, but also attend to learning world-wide plant family characteristics that are transferrable to other regions. The program includes extensive use of botanical keys and a variety of field guides, as well as daily hands-on experience with the flora. We will work in collaboration with the Natural History Institue herbarium collections. Accompanying leture topics include thorough treatment of the evolution of plants, pant classification and cladistics, flower morphology, pollination ecology, and a survey of select angiosperm families. Students should plan on being outside in the field regularly.

SPECIAL NOTES:Students should expect 50% class time, including a multiday field trip. Field trips will involve hiking and camping.