Plant Ecology Online Course
| Full Fee | $595.00 incl GST - Best Value! |
| Payment Plan | $800.00 incl GST |
Exam Optional
Tutor Support Yes unlimited by email
Qualification Certificate
Understand the nature and principles of plant ecology and apply that understanding to the cultivation and conservation of plants.
Course Aims:
- Define the term ecosystem
- Explain the importance of plants as energy producers within ecosystems
- Explain basic ecological principles
- Define the terms open and closed plant communities, semi-natural vegetation, dominant species, climax association.
- Describe the effects of plant association and competition on the succession of plants
- Describe how plant communities respond to environmental stresses.
- Explain how the development, structure and function of an organism depends on the interaction of that organism with its environment
- Describe the effects of a range of abiotic environmental factors on plant growth and development
- Explain the importance of monitoring abiotic environmental factors
- Describe plant modifications to withstand extreme environmental conditions
- Describe the weather and climate in a particular region.
- Relate plant distribution, growth and natural selection to soil, geography, weather and climate. State how soil, geography, weather and climate affect the horticulturist’s selection of plants for any specific growing location.
- Evaluate the use of meteorological records in relation to plant growth and development
- Define the terms xerophyte, hydrophyte and halophyte
- Describe the structure and function of xerophytes, hydrophytes and halophytes
- Describe how xerophytes, hydrophytes and halophytes can be utilised in garden or landscape situations
- Describe the significance of xeromorphy in temperate zone plants and its importance in the garden or landscape situation.
- Evaluate the methods by which environmental conditions can be manipulated to improve the growth and development of plants
- State the factors affecting the choice of plants for garden or landscape sites with extreme conditions
- Assess the value of using protective structures to grow plants
- Describe the sources and nature of pollutants and possible effects on plants
- Describe how the environment may be affected by a range of horticultural practices
- Explain how planning, environmental assessment and impact analysis may contribute to the conservation process
- State the major sources of grant aide available to support environmental conservation on horticultural sites
- Review the role of national and international organisations in the conservation of plants and gardens.
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Detailed Course Outline
Each course is made up a number of lessons or units. Each of these has self assessment questions, a set task (practical homework) and an assignment which you can upload online. Click below to read about each of the lessons and what you will learn.
There are 8 Lessons in this course:
Introductory Ecology
- Definitions for ecology, ecosystems
- Constituents of an ecosystem
- Ecological concepts
- Interrelationships between climate, soil and living things (consumers, decomposers)
- The food web
- Habitat and niche
- Biomes
- Terminology
Plant Communities
- Open and closed plant communities
- Habitat types
- Location and characteristics of biomes
- Semi natural vegetation
- Competition
- Succession of plant communities
- Community stability and equilibrium
- Environmental stress
- Edge effects
- Terminology
Plants and their Environment
- Development, structure and function
- Plant modifications: functional adaptions
- Environmental factors: light, temperature, fires, wind
- Monitoring abiotic factors
- Introduction to Environmental assessment
- Pre purchase inspection of a site
- Background data
- Flora and fauna surveys
- Open space management plans
- Compliance with licensing conditions
- Detection of pollutants
- Use of plants
- Remediation of a polluted site
Plants, Soils and Climate
- Natural conditions and plants distribution
- Climate classification
- Examples: climate in the UK, climate in Australia
- Meteorological data
- Plant distribution
- Geographic location
- Rainfall
- Evaporation
- Effective rainfall
- Circulation features
- The walker circulation
- Southern oscillation
- El nino
- La Nina
- GAIA theory
- Carbon dioxide cycle
- Wind descriptions
- Soil problems
- Erosion
- Salinity
- Soil structure decline and soil compaction
- Soil acidification
- Build up of dangerous chemicals
Plant Adaptations to Extreme Environments
- Ecological groups of plants: hydrophyte, xerophyte, mesophyte, halophyte
- Xeromorphy
- Common environmental problems when growing plants: foliage burn, pollution, lack of water, frost, shade, humidity, temperature, wind, etc
- Desert landscapes
- Xeriscapes
- Coastal gardens
- Water plant environments
- Greenhouse plants
Manipulating Plant Environments
- Controlling environmental conditions
- Tolerance levels for different plants
- Matching plants with their environment
- Managing light
- Managing water
- Protective structures
- Windbreaks
- Tree guards
Environmental Conservation
- Water pollution
- Soil pollution
- Atmospheric pollution
- Effects of horticulture
- Pesticides
- Fertilisers
- Deforestation problems
- Loss of agricultural land
- Loss of biodiversity
- Environmental weeds
- The greenhouse effect
- Other environmental problems affecting plant communities
- Greenhouse gases
Environmental Organisations, Assessment and Funding
- Plant conservation
- Conservation of individual species
- Conservation organisations
- Conservation funding
When you have completed the lessons of your Certificate course, you will be given the option of taking the optional exam. It's okay if you don't want the exam, we still issue your Careerline Certificate. For Advanced Certificates however, the exam is compulsory (per module) and are included in the course fee.
Course Tutor(s)
Theja Abayarathna
Bachelor of Science (Zoology) (Hons), M.Phil. PhD (UTS) current.
I am currently doing my PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Technology Sydney. My research is centered around the effects of climate change on the hatchling velvet gecko population in Australia. This involves collecting wild gravid geckos and incubating their eggs under laboratory conditions. Through exposure to a variety of incubation temperature treatments, I have operationalized my investigation which aims to determine the effect of higher temperatures on hatchling geckos. I am currently in stage 3 of research, which comprises writing a thesis and developing manuscripts for publishing. Prior to my present endeavors within the scientific field, I have also successfully completed a B.Sc. degree, majoring in Zoology, (specialised field: Wildlife Management) with first-class honors and an M.Phil. Degree in Life Sciences. My passion has always been teaching and thus I have worked for seven years as a lecturer at various universities. I love helping students with their own studies.
How It Works
1. Learn Online
Get access to your course content anywhere, anytime and study at your own pace.
2. Get Help & Support
Connect with other like-minded students and get help from the teacher whenever you have a question.
3. Receive Certificate
Graduate from your course knowing that you have what it takes to reach your next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay in installments?
Yes! We offer great payment plans, however full payment up front is the cheapest. You can choose the best payment plan for you from the course page, or call us on 07 55368782 to talk to one of our course consultants for a custom plan.
Can I study from anywhere in the world?
We have many international students. Careerline's range of courses are suitable for any one, anywhere in the world.
Do I get a discount if I enroll in a second course?
Yes. You may claim a 5% fee discount when you enroll in a second course, and a further 10% off a three-course package.
Do I have to sit an Exam?
No. If you are enrolled in a Certificate course (100hrs), the exam is optional. You will be issued with a certificate which proves that you are competent in all units, if you choose not to sit the exam.
Do you have set start dates?
There are no set start dates, you may start at any time. Our courses are all self-paced. As our home page says, ‘Courses for Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime’. ‘Anytime’ includes the start time of your choice. However, we do encourage our students to submit assignments on a regular basis. Wherever possible, we suggest developing a study routine.