Botany

The main objective is to provide a general overview of the main groups of cormophytes to the student, with special focus on the following aspects:

• To know, understand, and use the identification and characterization keys of plant species.
• To be able to take decisions using the available resources in order to work in multidisciplinary groups
• To be able to transfer technology, understand, interpret, communicate and take progress in the agricultural field.

Other complementary objectives are:

• To know the evolutionary and systematic position of the main groups
• To recognize the importance and role of plants in agricultural systems and ecosystems
• To promote interest and familiarity on plants, mainly on their applicability and utility in Agronomy
• To understand and use basic botanical terminology related to vascular plants
• To raise awareness of environmental and conservational matters

The degree report includes the following content for the course:
• Systematic: diversity and plant classification.
• Gymnosperms: morphological variability, characterization and identification of plants with unprotected seeds.
• Angiosperms: morphological variability, characterization and identification of plants with protected seeds.
• Ethnobotany: agricultural, ornamental plants and plants of agro-industrial interest. Invasive plants.
• Plant communities of agricultural and scenic interest.

These contents will be presented at the explain activities that will follow list of topics:

EXPOSITORY HOURS (18)

TOPIC BLOCK I: Diagnostic features of plants (7 contact hours, 21 self-study)

BASIC CONCEPTS. Introduction to Botany. Importance and usefulness of plants. Ethnobotany: concept and definition. Classification fundamentals and criteria. Phylogeny and nomenclature. General classification and introduction to the APG System. (2h).
VEGETATIVE STRUCTURES OF PLANTS: Structures, typology, and modifications. Diagnostic criteria in roots, stems, and leaves. Other diagnostical criteria. (2h).
REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES. Sporangia and strobili. Flowers: morphology and classification criteria. Inflorescences. Seeds. Fruits: origin and classification. Asexual reproduction (2h).
PLANT ADAPTATIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENT. Life cycle and seasonal cycle (Phenology). Life forms. Parasitism and other nutrition strategies. Invasions. (1h)

TOPIC BLOCK II: Main plant groups (11 contact hours, 33 self-study)

SEEDLESS VASCULAR PLANTS. Div. Pteridophyta. General chararacteristics. Systematics (Classes Psilotopsida, Lycopodiopsida, Equisetopsida & Filicopsida). (1h)
PLANTS WITH UNPROTECTED SEEDS. GYMNOSPERMS. Div. Spermatophyta. General chararacteristics. Systematics (Classes Cycadopsida, Ginkgopsida & Pinopsida). Taxa of interest. (1h)
PLANTS WITH PROTECTED SEEDS. ANGIOSPERMS I: Basal angiosperms, Magnolids, and Lilids, (Monocotyledoneae). General characteristics, most important groups, and taxa of interest. (2h)
PLANTS WITH PROTECTED SEEDS. ANGIOSPERMS II: Rosids and allied groups. . General characteristics, most important groups, and taxa of interest. Detailed study of the families Fabaceae, Rosaceae & Brassicaceae. (2h)
PLANTS WITH PROTECTED SEEDS. ANGIOSPERMS III: Asterids and allied groups. General characteristics, most important groups, and taxa of interest. Detailed study of the family Asteraceae. (2h)
STRUCTURE, DIVERSITY AND DYNAMICS OF VEGETATION. Concepts of flora and vegetation. Plant formations and plant communities. Biomes: characteristics and distribution. Diversification hotspots. Undesired plant expansions. (2h)


INTERACTIVE HOURS (20)

Additionally, a series of interactive activities that include practices and seminars will be carried out. The practice sessions will be achieved through five lab sessions and one field session related to the recognition of the main morphological and reproductive attributes of the main study families; the observed characteristics will also be used to identify species using dichotomous keys. The expected contents of the practices are:

Lab and field practices (14)

LABORATORY PRACTICES (10 contact hours, 10 self-study)
Practice 1: Diagnosis and typology of attributes used for species identification: morphologic variability of organs. Usage of identification keys and other resources for plant species identification
Practice 2: Plants with rudimentary flowers. Study of the family Poaceae. Other families of wind pollinated plants (e.g Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae…)
Practice 3: Plants with free petals. Study of the families of agricultural importance: Rosaceae, Brassicaceae & Fabaceae, and other families of interest (e.g. Ranunculaceae, Caryophyllaceae…)
Practice 4: Plants with fused petals. Study of families of both Monocotyledoneae (eg. Liliaceae, Iridaceae, Amaryllidaceae…) and Dycotyledoneae (e.g. Lamiaceae, Ericaceae, Boraginaceae, Scrophulariaceae…) of agricultural and/or ornamental interest
Practice 5: Plants with flowers in heads (capitula): Study of the family Asteraceae

FIELD PRACTICE (4 contact hours, 1,5 self-study)
Practice 6: Trip for in situ observation and characterization of several genera, families and plant formations in a representative territory along a geographic gradient in inland Galicia; this trip will involve the use of mobile apps and other tools previously presented (4 hours)


Seminars (4) (4 contact hours, 6 self-study)

Seminars are aimed at disseminating and discuss current issues related to Botany, in order to achieve a more detailed knowledge.

These seminars will undergo a dual complementary approach: On the one hand, the professor will present topics of interest in relation to the seminar subject. On the other hand students, in small groups, will review some information on the topic that will be provided by the professor. This documentation will be used to develop the explanatory guidelines, which will be presented. After the exposure of each presentation, the professor will formulate some questions on the topic.

Seminar 1: Adventitions and invasive plants.
Seminar 2: Flora and vegetation.

TUTORSHIPS (2)

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY

General texts

DÍAZ GONZÁLEZ, T.E., FERNÁNDEZ-CARVAJAL ÁLVAREZ M.C. & FERNÁNDEZ PRIETO J.A. Curso de Botánica. Ed. Trea, 2004.
IZCO, J. et al., Botánica, 2ª ed. Ed. McGraw-Hill Interamericana, Madrid, 2004.
NABORS, M.W. Introducción a la Botánica. Ed. Pearson, 2005
RIGUEIRO RODRÍGUEZ, A (coord.). Galicia. Naturaleza. Tomo XLII. Botánica II. Cap. 3-9, 2004.
RIGUEIRO RODRÍGUEZ, A (coord.). 2005. Galicia. Naturaleza. Tomo XLIII. Botánica III, 2005.
STRASBURGER, E. et al., Tratado de Botánica, 35ª ed., Ed. Omega, Barcelona, 2002.

Identification keys and lab or field guides

AIRA, M.J; VÁZQUEZ, R. & IZCO, J. (eds.). Manual de prácticas de Botánica. Laboratorio y campo. Servizo de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 2014.
AIZPURU, C. et al., Flora del País Vasco y territorios limítrofes, Serv. Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 1999.
CASTROVIEJO, S (coord. gen.). Flora Iberica 1-8, 10-15, 17-18, 21. Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid, 1986-2012.
GARCIA, X.R. Guía das plantas de Galicia, Ed. Xerais. 2007 (2nd ed. 2023).

COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY

Complementary texts

FONT QUER, P., Diccionario de Botánica, Ed. Labor, Barcelona, 1985.
HEYWOOD, V.H., Las plantas con flores, Ed. Reverté, Barcelona, 1985.
CHRISTENHUSZ, M.J.M, FAY M.F. & CHASE M.W. Plants of the World. An illustrated encyclopedia of vascular plants. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, 2017.
LÜTTGE, U. et al., Botánica, ed. McGraw-Hill Interamericana, Madrid, 1993

Electronic resources

APG IV System and other classifications
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/ [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
http://www.plantgateway.com/poster/ [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://www.conifers.org/zz/gymnosperms.php (The Gymnosperm Database) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]

Information about Flora worldwide
https://powo.science.kew.org/ (Plants of the World) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
http://www.theplantlist.org/ [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://www.delta-intkey.com/angio/index.htm (DELTA Database – DEscription Language for TAxonomy) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]

Information about Flora in the Iberian Peninsula
http://www.anthos.es/ [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://flora-on.pt/ (Flora de Portugal) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://www.gbif.org/es/dataset/91fecd78-0986-4713-9c36-77532846ee25 (Taxa list of Spanish vascular Flora) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://www.asturnatura.com/naturaleza/flora/ [Last accessed 2024/05/22]

Information about Galicia (Seminars and lab sessions)
http://www.bosquesdegalicia.es/ (Forest Vegetation of Galicia) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://cmatv.xunta.gal/seccion-tema/c/CMAOT_Conservacion?content=Direc… (Invasive plants) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]
https://biodiversidade.eu/ (Collaborative platform) [Last accessed 2024/05/22]

Other electronic resources will be available along the course, according to the ongoing topic. Some of these resources will be in English.

Students will achieve generic and specific abilities related to the degree. Within the framework of competencies designed, this subject will work the following:

Basic, general and transversal competences:

CG1 - Knowledge in basic materials science and technology to enable continuous learning and an ability to adapt to new situations and changing surroundings.
CG5 - Ability to develop their activities, assuming a social, ethical and environmental commitment in tune with the reality of the human and natural environment
CT5 Ability to seek adequate, diverse and updated information
CT6 Ability to develop and present an organized and understandable text
CT7 - Ability to develop a public speech clear, concise and consistent manner
CT10 - Use of bibliographic information and the Internet.

Specific skills:

CR1 - Ability to recognize, understand and use the principles of identification and characterization of plant species

The expository activities will be carried out according to the following methodology:

• Participatory Lectures. Seminars and conferences (Competences CG1, CT5, CT6)
• Using classic and digital boards. Using the virtual classroom (Competence CG5)
• Making presentations by computer (Competence CG5)
• Individualized and group tutorials (Competence CT5)
• Assessment of skills through exercises control (Competences CG1, CT5, CT6)

The Online Campus will be mainly a tool to be used as a repository, as well as for certain complementary activities.

The interactive activities will be carried out according to the following methodology:

• Lab or field practices (Competences CG7, CR1)
• Using the Virtual Classroom (Competence CG7)
• Individualized and group tutorials (Competence CT5)
• Group work and cooperative learning. Active discussion sessions (Competences CG5, CT5, CT6, CT7, CT10)

The non-contact work (practices and seminars reporting, etc.) will be launched according to the following methodology:

• Self work and independent study (Competences CG5, CT5, CT6, CT7, CT10)
• Activities in the Virtual Classroom (Competences CG5, CT5, CT10, CR1)

Tutorship will be held both in the office and online if required.

Students will need to independently pass the tests for continuous assessment for each part of the subject, i.e. expository (theory) and interactive (practices and seminars) activities. The final qualification (once each part has been passed), will be obtained out of the following ratios:

• Objective oral and / or written tests: 60%. Contents will be assessed for each topic block (40% and 60%, respectively). In addition, theoretical contents must be satisfactorily completed in order to pass the whole subject. (Competence CG7)
• Active participation and achievement of activities during practices and seminars: 30%. Besides contact sessions during practices/seminars, students will be required to fill in a questionnaire following each activity (Competences CT5, CT6, CT7, CR1)
• Attendance and active student’s participation in classroom and/or optional activities in the virtual classroom: 10% (Competence CG1)

Satisfactory achievement of the continuous assessment will be enough to pass the subject. The final examination will be only required for students who did not successfully complete these activities, for both expository and interactive ones. Assessment methodology will be the same for the first and second calls.

Students who did not attend some interactive lessons or elaborate their reports will need to pass these specific activities in a final test. For practices, this will involve a practical exam at the laboratory on the same date as the final examination. This exam will consist of the description and identification of plant species corresponding to the practices the student has not passed. In the case of seminars, it will consist in some questions or delivery of activities related to some readings previously provided by the professor.

Prior students who passed practices and seminars within the last two previous academic years will keep this condition, but they will need to pass the theoretical examination; nevertheless, they can repeat these activities for a higher qualification. After two years, student will be required to pass each part. Students who can keep previous qualifications will be informed at the beginning of the course.

Waiver for attendance, only in justified cases, will be just given for expository activities. In such cases, their evaluation will be provided by the final exam, which will account for 65% of the final qualification. Interactive activities will be assessed in the same way as the rest of the students.

In the case of fraudulent tests or exercises, the present regulation at the USC for academic assessment and qualifications will be applied.

Contact work:

Expository hours (theory): 18

Interactive hours:

- practices: 14
- seminars: 4
- tutorials: 2
Examinations: 2

Total contact hours: 40

Self-study hours:
Expository: 54 hours
Interactive: 18,5 hours

Total self-study: 72.5

Total 40 + 72.5 = 112.5

We highly recommend to regularly work on the subject, and consult the recommend literature, at least the basic one, as well as the proposed electronic resources, especially the Online Campus (USC Virtual). The attendance to office hours for doubt clearance is highly advisable.

Please remember that the attendance to the expositive (theory) and interactive (practices and seminars) sessions is compulsory.