Functioning and adaptation of tropical plants

The objective of this course is to explore the diversity of life forms and morphological and functional adaptations of plants living in tropical regions. Each of the major biological types will be analyzed (trees, grasses, lianas, epiphytes, hemi-epiphytes, etc.) in order to understand their architecture and modes of development, and to study the particularities of their functioning.

A comparative reflection will attempt to define the nature of the adaptations that have allowed these plants to occupy all the available niches.

Particular emphasis will be placed, in an evolutionary perspective, on the study of the bio-mechanical and in situ conduction properties that characterize some of them.

Another focus will be put on tree ontogeny by addressing notions of architecture in relation to the processes involved in the establishment of large tropical tree crowns, including root strategies. The interaction between vegetative structures, reproduction and secondary growth will be addressed in practical work on tropical material.

The notions of growth and competition in a stand will be approached on simple cases with notions of growth modeling.

Be able to define and characterize plant life forms and their mode of development. Know how to mobilize the concepts and tools specific to the study of plant biomechanics. Be able to study the temporal characteristics of tree development based on notions of morphology, macro-anatomy and architecture. Be able to establish a sampling protocol of the plant to study the primary and secondary growth relationships.

Continuous assessment : 100%.