BL/ES 325 - Field Botany Southwest Germany

A sound knowledge of plant species, an understanding of ecological relationships and competence in identifying and mapping plants in the field are indispensable tools in many areas related to environmental research, evaluation, planning and protection. In this course, students will learn to recognize the most important plant families of the Northern hemisphere and to successfully validate the identity of species based on text-based keys and digital tools. Hands-on training will be provided during field trips where students will be able to apply identification skills to investigate local vegetation types in the geo- and biodiverse Upper Rhine Valley in southwestern Germany. With the help of ecological indicator species established for Central Europe, students will analyze local site and management schemes and put these into a continental and global context. Emphasis is given to the traditional and modern role of humans in shaping the composition and structure of plant communities in southwestern Germany. Students will specifically learn about local plants that are noxious weeds in novel environments in North America and how management schemes can draw from ecological analysis of the home site conditions. Students will be able to build upon this framework of skills and knowledge in potential future careers, especially in a time where there is a lamentable shortage of field-savvy experts.