PLSCI 2300

Global Plant Biodiversity and Vegetation

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Plants are distributed across the globe in distinctive vegetation types, and have a close association with local and global climate. This course discusses factors determining vegetation structure, plant diversity, biodiversity hotspots, plant adaptations, human-plant interactions and climate change with an emphasis on ecological concepts, plant-climate interactions and plant adaptation at a very basic level. Intended for both Plant Sciences majors and students without a strong background in plant sciences. An associated field trip to Patagonia that was previously offered with this course is now offered as a separate course with credits in the spring semester.

Distribution Requirements (BSC-AG)

Exploratory Studies (CU-ITL)

Last 4 terms offered 2023FA, 2021FA, 2019FA, 2017FA

Learning Outcomes REF-FA25

• Evaluate any area of the globe and predict the general vegetation types that should occur based on an understanding of the relationship between climate and plant distribution, adaptation, and form.
• Evaluate individual plants for morphological adaptation syndromes to drought, salinity, predation, and excess water.

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