Functioning and adaptation of tropical plants

The aim 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 (trees, grasses, lianas, epiphytes, hemi-epiphytes, etc.) will be analyzed in order to understand their architecture and modes of development, and to study the particularities of their functioning.

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

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

The focus will also be on tree ontogeny, with a focus on architecture and the processes involved in the development of large tropical tree crowns, including root strategies. The interaction between vegetative structures, reproduction and secondary growth will be covered in practical work on tropical material.

The notions of growth and competition in a stand will be approached using simple case studies, along with notions of growth modelling.

Be able to define and characterize plant life forms and their mode of development. Mobilize 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 plant sampling protocol to study primary and secondary growth relationships.

100% continuous assessment