It's Easy to Enrol

Select a Learning Method

Correspondence E-Learning (5% discount) Online

I am studying from...

Within Australia
AUD $825.00 inc GST
Outside Australia
AUD $850.00

Enable Javascript to automatically update prices.

All prices in Australian Dollars.

Payment plans available.

Courses can be started at any time from anywhere in the world!

PLANT ECOLOGY - (BEN302)

Course Code	BEN302
Fee Code	S3
Duration (approx)	100 hours
Qualification	Statement of Attainment

Study Online and Learn Science, Technology, Gardening and more; with a Hot Course from Australian Horticultural Correspondence School.

Plant Ecology Course -Study at home

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.

Lesson Structure

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 effectsTerminology
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 lisencing conditions
- Detection of pollutants
- Use of plants
- Remediation of a polluted site
Plants, Soils and Climate
- Natural conditions andplants distribution
- Climate classification
- Examples: climate in the UK, climate in Australia
- Meteorological data
- Plant distribution
- Geographic location
- Rainfall
- Evapouration
- 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 problemsLoss of agricultural land
- Loss of biodiversity
- Environmental weeds
- The greenhouse effect
- Other environmental problems affecting plant communities
- Greenhouse gases
- Ozone depletion
- Introduction to recycling
Environmental Organisations, Assessment and Funding
- Plant conservation
- Conservation of individual species
- Conservation organisations
- Conservation funding

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What Next?

Enrol in
the Course Click here to enrol online, or call us to enrol over the phone.

In AUS: 07 5562 1088
Int: +61 7 5562 1099

Talk to
an Expert Our tutors are highly qualified, with years of industry experience.

Click here to get personalised advice.

View Sample
Course Notes What do our courses look like?

Click here to view sample course notes.

Send Details
to a Friend Is this course perfect for someone you know?

Click here to send them this information.

Home Gardening, Horticultural Resource Management, Horticultural Marketing, Practical Horticulture, Trees For Rehabilitation, Soil Management, Plant Pathology, Amenity Horticulture, Certificate in Horticulture, RHS Certificate II in Horticulture, RHS Certificate III in Horticulture, RHS Diploma in Horticulture, RHS Master of Horticulture, Diploma in Horticulture, Turf Care, Sports Turf Management, Greenkeeping, Turf Repair and Renovation, Arboriculture I, Landscape Styles, Natural Garden Design, Water Gardening, Landscape Construction, Cottage Garden Design, Playground Design, Restoring Established Ornamental Gardens, Diploma in Landscaping Propagation, Cutting Propagation, Wholesale Nursery Management, landscaping, Diploma in Landscping Garden Centre Management, Hydroponics, Certificate in Hydroponics, Weed Control, Permaculture, Self Sufficiency, Tissue Culture, Plant Breeding, Nursery Sales Assistant, Hydroponics, Cut Flower Production, Greenhouse Cut Flowers, Outdoor Plant Production, Commercial Vegetable Production, Protected Plant Production, Mushroom Production, Fruit Production, Nut Production, Viticulture, Berry Production, Culture, Lavender, Medicinal Herbs, Culinary Herbs, Scented Plants, Cacti and Succulents, Roses, Interior Plants, Orchid Culture, Tropical Plants, Australian Natives I, plus many others including ecotourism, ecology, plant ecology, adventure tourism,

The information given is for general information and should not be regarded as advice in any matter. ACS Distance Education disclaims all and any liability in relation to any act or omission which is done in reliance to the information provided in this web site. While every effort is made to ensure that we display correct information on our website, errors can occur. ACS Distance Education disclaims liability or responsibility for orders or complaints arising from such errors, including (but not limited to): pricing, fees and course requirements. ACS Distance Education reserves the right to decline orders arising from such errors.