PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 16: Ecology Education
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

Environmental Physiology in the Undergraduate Ecology Lab.

Sacchi, Christopher^*,1, ¹ Kutztown University of PA, Kutztown, PA

ABSTRACT- Undergraduate students in three ecology/environmental science courses were introduced to concepts in physiological ecology and the potential relationships among environmental attributes, plant physiological response to these attributes, and whole organism performance. In one exercise, students examined the relationship between plant water status and susceptibility to herbivory. This first exercise introduced students to the important concept that plant water status influenced plant qualities that ultimately altered plant vulnerability to herbivores. In a second type of exercise, students examined photosynthetic responses of plants to environmental variables, with these variables selected as appropriate to the content of a given course. Through use of reasonably priced plant gas exchange systems and either CO₂ or O₂ analyzers, students studied photosynthetic rate of: 1) herbaceous and woody plants under different conditions of light, 2) a single species exposed to contemporary atmospheric CO₂ levels and to increased CO₂ levels, and 3) C3 and C4 plants exposed to different light conditions or altered CO₂ levels. Structured student evaluations indicate general agreement with the goals of these exercises to provide students familiarity with physiological equipment and technology in the lab, or field, and with use of the equipment to understand the relationship between plant physiology, the environment, and plant performance.

Key words: Education, Environmental Physiology, Lab Exercises