Plant Ecology online | Study plant ecosystems

Knowing Plant Ecology is fundamental to Knowing How to Grow and Manage Plants

Understanding plant ecology is essential for anyone working in agriculture, horticulture or environmental management! You may choose to study this to fill in a 'gap' in your education; to complement something you already work at, or to improve your prospects in business or career, in the future.

The course is a basic foundation for people wishing to pursue a career in sciences, environment, agriculture, gardening, landscaping, organic farming, permaculture and herbal medicine, and all people interested in the natural world.

Plant ecology is the science that studies and describes why plants are grow where they grow, what makes them grow there and how they relate to other living beings, such as plants, animals, humans and other organisms.

Learn how plants interact with each other and the environments they live in.
Develop a deeper understanding of plants for working in science, biology, the environment, agriculture, gardening, landscaping, organic farming, permaculture and herbal medicine.
Gain the confidence to evaluate and apply the practical aspects which stem from understanding plant ecology.

This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success.

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 effects
- Terminology
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 licencing conditions
- Detection of pollutants
- Use of plants
- Remediation of a polluted site
Plants, Soils and Climate
- Natural conditions and plants distribution
- Climate classification
- Examples: climate in the UK, climate in Australia
- Meteorological data
- Plant distribution
- Geographic location
- Rainfall
- Evaporation
- 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 problems
- Loss 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.

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.

What are the different types of plant communities?

There are two main types of plant communities.

Open plant communities consist of open canopies with sparse vegetation and usually one or two canopy layers.
Closed communities include more dense vegetation with a closed canopy. Closed communities may consist of rain forest plants and include larger leafed species.

In contrast with closed communities, open communities develop where there is shortage of resources, like African savannas, North American prairies and Asian steppes, all suffering from shortage of moisture for at least several months a year, or open forests on rocky grounds lacking enough soil to grow on.

Habitat Types

The earth can be divided up into different types of areas with shared characteristics. The simplest division is that into areas covered by water and areas covered by dry land. This division is based upon simple physical characteristics. There are many other ways of dividing up regions which are far more complex; based upon not just physical characteristics but also the living things that inhabit an area. Regions of the world can be differentiated according to environmental conditions, topography and dominant plant and animal species. For example, the use of such criteria allows us to see that tropical lowland rain forest is very different to arctic tundra.

This course helps you understand all these different ecosystems and how plants fit into each.

Why Study with ACS?

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Study at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time.

Receive prompt, expert support from our team of committed and friendly tutors.

Your learning is our priority. We are flexible and adaptable to meet your educational needs!

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Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
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If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

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Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

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Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

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We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

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We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

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What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.

Take a look at their testimonials here.

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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.

Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Rosemary Davies (Horticulturist)

Leading horticultural expert in Australia.
Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer, taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer.
She then studied Education and Training, teaching TAFE apprentices and developing curriculum for TAFE, before taking up an offer as a full time columnist with the Herald and Weekly Times and its magazine department after a number of years as columnist with the Age. She has worked for a number of companies in writing and publications, PR community education and management and has led several tours to Europe.
In 1999 Rosemary was BPW Bendigo Business Woman of the Year and is one of the founders and the Patron, of the Friends of the Bendigo Botanic gardens. She has completed her 6th book this year and is working on concepts for several others.
Rosemary has a B Ed, BSc Hort, Dip Advertising & Marketing

Marie Beermann

Marie has more than 10 years experience in horticulture and education in both Australia and Germany. Marie's qualifications include B. Sc., M. Sc. Hort., Dip. Bus., Cert. Ldscp.

John Mason (Horticulturist)

Parks Manager, Nurseryman, Landscape Designer, Garden Writer and Consultant.
Over 40 years experience; working in Victoria, Queensland and the UK.
He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world.

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[The course] provides a thorough introduction to the practices of Life Coaching. It provides very good learning materials and practical assignments at end of each lesson. The comments from my tutor are always very encouraging and positive. The services from school administrative staff are excellent [and] the course is recognised by Association of Coaching, UK.

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