Local Flora

(1 Credit Hour) · Undergraduate

This is a field-based course that explores the rich biodiversity of plant life in northern Indiana. Through hands-on experience in a diverse array of field sites, you will be introduced to various plant communities and learn to identify the plants within them. Plant communities and species distributions reflect patterns and processes as ancient as plate tectonics and as recent as glaciers and European settlement. They reflect the influence of temperature and moisture patterns as well as competition within and among plant species. They are shaped by interactions with animals, insects, and disease, as well as the actions of humans.Plants are the foundation of every terrestrial habitat, but are often overlooked. By developing a greater familiarity with plant communities and skills for identification, you will be better prepared to appreciate natural habitats, participate in conservation work, and conduct field research.