Plant Population Biology
Dr. Michele Dudash
3 credits
3202 Biology Psychology
Tel: 405-1642
Email: mdudash@umd.edu
BIOL 760
Fall 2009
Room 2249 BPS Wed 12-3
Text: Introduction to Plant Population Biology, fourth edition, by Silvertown and Charlesworth.
Recent articles from the primary literature will be assigned weekly with an emphasis on both basic
and applied research. The class format is ½ lecture and ½ discussion of the primary literature each
week. We will also be investigating how sustainability is being incorporated into conservation and
restoration decisions where preserving biodiversity is a major goal.
Date
Sept 2
Topic
Introduction to course
Text Readings
Sept 9
Evolution of mixed mating systems overview
Chap. 1, 9
Sept 16
Evolution of mating and breeding systems: Herkogamy/dichogamy
Chap. 2,9
Sept 23
Evolution of mating and breeding systems: Evolution of selfing
Chap. 2,9
Sept 30
Evolution of mating and breeding systems: Self-incompatability/dioecy
Chap. 2,9
Oct 7
Population demographic models: Life history strategies
Chap. 5,6,10
Oct 14
Population demographic models: Matrix approaches
Chap. 5,6,10
Oct 21
Population demographic models: Elasticity analyses
Chap. 5,6,10
Oct 28
Meta-analysis and meta-populations
Chap. 7
Nov 4
Polyploidy and Apomixis
Nov 11
Measurement of Natural Selection
Nov 18
Path Analysis
Nov 25
Thanksgiving
Dec 2
Interspecific interactions
Dec 9
Student Presentation (12 min. plus time for questions with POWER POINT)
Dec 16
Final Projects DUE
Chap. 3,4,8
Chap. 8
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Plant Population Biology
(BIOL 760)
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a (1) research proposal (max. 8 pages) following the model of a NSF
doctoral dissertation improvement grant on your own research topic or on a topic of interest to you at
this time or (2) manuscript draft from your research, or (3) collate an extensive literature review
(minimum of 20 papers). A section (500-1000 words) on some appropriate aspect of “sustainability”
must be included in this assignment.
Final Projects: Must be discussed and approved by M. Dudash no later than Oct 30, 2009
Option 1: Doctoral dissertation improvement grant
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5234
Option 2: Manuscript preparation
Option 3: Extensive Literature Review of topic with a 4 page overview.
Sustainability Initiatives at University of Maryland:
http://cte.umd.edu/programs/graduate/lillygraduate/@last/Applying_Todays_Learning_to_Acheive_a_
Sustainable_Tomorrow/Welcome.html
http://www.sustainability.umd.edu
Grading:
Presentation: 100 pts
Final Project: 100 pts
Class discussion leader/participation: 100 pts
TOTAL POINTS in class = 300 pts.
Reading examples: Evolution of mating and breeding systems
Fenster, C. B., W. S. Armbruster, M. R. Dudash, J. Thomson and P. Wilson. 2004. Pollination
syndromes and the evolution of floral diversity. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and
Systematics 35: 375-403.
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Goodwille C. et al. 2005. The evolutionary enigma of mixed mating systems in plants: Occurrence,
theoretical explanations, and empirical evidence. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 36: 47-79.
Fontaine, C., Dajoz, I.M., JacquesLoreau, M. 2006. Functional Diversity of Plant-Pollinator Interaction
Webs Enhances the Persistence of Plant Communities. PLoS Biology 4 : 129-134.
Dudash, M. R. and C. J. Murren. 2008. The influence of breeding systems and mating systems on
conservation genetics and conservation decisions. In Evolution in Action edited by S. C. Carroll and
C. W. Fox., pp. 68-80, Oxford University Press, UK.
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