BIO1525 — Wildflowers of Spring
Students will explore the beauty and biology of out local spring wildflowers, and gain a fascinating glimpse into the identification, classification, evolution, survival strategies, conservation challenged, and ecological significance of our springtime ephemerals. Complex co-evolutionary strategies for pollination, seed dispersal, and defense against herbivory will be examined, and ecological relationships and interdependencies among fungi, flowers, and animals will be explored. Various threats to active plant communities, such as habitat loss, climate change, loss of pollinators, and impacts of invasive species will be described and discuss. Lectures will incorporate multimedia content, outdoor fieldwork, and hands-on exploration and identification of our backyard blooms in local fields, forests, and wetlands.Eligibility: ENG 1510 without supports or Corequisite: ENG 1510 with supports. J spring.