Plant Ecophysiology

Knowledge
The participants will acquire a broad knowledge of plant ecophysiology in terrestrial ecosystems. Emphasis is placed on plants’ responses to environmental change, including climate change. Teaching will cover plant light utilization, photosynthesis, carbon balance, water relations, nutrient uptake and transport, growth and regulation mechanisms, biotic interactions as well as selected plant functional groups and their response to climate change, crossing different levels of organisation from plant to ecosystem level.

 Specific learning outcomes and competences gained

• Describe and explain photosynthesis, as well as its dependence on light, temperature, CO₂
• Describe the water balance of plants and explain which mechanisms are in place for water transport between soil, plant and atmosphere and how it is affected by climate change
• Identify essential macro (e.g. N, P) and micronutrients for plant growth and define mechanisms and adaptations for nutrient uptake

• Describe plant nutrient uptake in relation to nutrient availability in soil
• Characterize the interactions between plant (roots) and microorganisms in soil, including mycorrhiza, nitrogen fixing bacteria etc.
• Characterize gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere including H₂O, CO₂, N₂ and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Describe plant growth, and anatomical adaptation to the environment
• Explain differences in nutrient content and secondary metabolites between functional plant groups and describe how plants respond to herbivory and changes in the environment
• Discuss plants’ responses to climate change and how it differs between different plant functional groups
• Examine scientific research articles and communicate the main findings

Skills
During the course, the participants will acquire knowledge in plant ecophysiology and the connections between plant structure and function. Participants will be equipped with skills on how to assess and investigate this. Participants will gain insights and experience in performing and evaluating ecophysiological experiments. The participants will acquire skills and knowledge in plants’ interaction with the environment (abiotic and biotic) with a special focus on climate change effects on plant functions across a range of plant functional types. “Applied ecophysiology” in relation to commercial plant production is also included in the teaching.