Lecturing

BIOL3125/6125 - Plants and Global Climate Change, ANU

Module: Stress and resilience in alpine plants and ecosystems

This module will investigate the effects of climate change on alpine plants, communities, and ecosystems, particularly their ability to tolerate tough conditions and maintain their function. Alpine plants are frequently subjected to extremely harsh conditions and have a range of ways to cope with and respond to both heat and cold stresses. Nevertheless, climate change poses a range of significant challenges for these plants. In this module, we will explore what these challenges are, what makes plants tolerant, how snow and microclimates provide refugia and buffer against extremes, and how researchers assess plant responses to future climate change in the field from ecophysiology and community ecology perspectives. Finally, we consider and discuss what the future may hold for alpine plants in Australia and across the globe.

 

Lecture 1 – Alpine plants and climate change at high elevations

Lecture 2 – Effects of heat and water stresses on alpine plants

Lecture 3 – Effects of cold stress and snow dynamics on alpine plants

Lecture 4 – Climate change effects on alpine communities