Plant resources and Ecosystems

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

As primary producers, plants (and algae) are essential components of all global ecosystems. Throughout the world, there is a wide range ecosystems, providing the habitats for plant life on earth and the associated ecosystem services they provide. In this module, we will provide and introduction to the different global biomes, and what drives their distribution. We will also focus on the main habitat types in Ireland, and discuss their status and ecology. This module explores the key features of global biomes in marine, aquatic and terrestrial systems, and the ecology of the plant communities (and resources) within these. Specifically it addresses key components of rocky shore ecology, distribution, mapping and sustainable utilisation of seaweed bioresources. It further covers important global ecosystems, and in particular the ecology of Irish natural habitats such as grassland, woodlands, bogs, hedgerows etc. Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the main terrestrial habitat types in Ireland and discuss their current status 2. Understand global terrestrial biomes and ecosystems, and their distribution 3. Be familiar with features of seaweeds on rocky shore ecology and zonation patterns and factors driving temporal and spatial variability 4. Give an overview of the ecology of important local Irish and global seaweed habitats 5. Give an overview of important marine/coastal vascular plant communities (seagrasses, saltmarshes) 6. Appreciate the processes and methods involved in the assessment of algal bioresources for sustainable utilisation