Life Sciences
Animal-Plant Interactions
Module code: C1110
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture
Assessment modes: Coursework
Explore the ways in which animals and plants have evolved to produce current positive and negative ecological interactions.
On this module, you’ll look at:
- positive interactions such as mutualisms (pollination, seed dispersal, ant-plant interactions) and commensalisms
- antagonistic interactions, including herbivory (including herbivore impacts and plant responses), frugivory, seed predation and carnivorous plants
- indirect interactions (mediated through species or resources)
- applied aspects (grazing management, control of herbivorous pest species, invasive species, trophic cascades, conservation of interactions, responses to environmental change).
Module learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the interactions between animals and plants, including, where appropriate, the evolution of these interactions and their applied significance.
- Evaluate and synthesise the primary scientific literature on animal-plant interactions, setting research findings in the context of established knowledge.
- Critically appraise scientific information and data on animal-plant interactions, and communicate ideas, arguments and supporting or contrary evidence in a clear and logical manner.