SUBJECT
Bryology
practical
master
3
Semesters 1-4
Autumn/Spring semester
1. Theory: General description of bryophytes: life history, evolution, fossil records, evolution, taxonomy. Morphology of Jungermanniales. Practice: Determination of selected species of Jungermanniales.
2. Theory: Morphology of Jungermanniales. Practice: Determination of selected species of Jungermanniales.
3. Theory: Morphology of Anthocerotales, Metzgeriales, Marchantiales. Practice: Determination of selected species of Anthocerotales, Metzgeriales, Marchantiales.
4. Theory: General description of Bryophyta: morphology, taxonomy, evolution. Morphology of Sphagnopsida and Andreopsida. Practice: Determination of selected species of Sphagnopsida and Andreopsida.
5. Theory: Morphology of Polytrichales and Tetraphidales. Practice: Determination of selected species of Polytrichales and Tetraphidales.
6. Theory: Population biology of bryophytes I. Spore dispersal, germination. Development of protonema. Growth and clonal structure of the gametophyte. Practice: Determination of selected species of Bryales.
7. Theory: Population biology of bryophytes II. Sexual and asexual reproduction. Biased sex ration, cost of reproduction. Growth forms and life strategies of bryophytes. Importance of diaspore bank and dormancy. Practice: Determination of selected species of Bryales.
8. Theory: Population genetics of bryophytes. Methodology, information about the genom and cytology of bryophytes. Hibridization and speciation. Genetical diveristy. Genetical consequences of dioicy and monoicy. Practice: Determination of selected species of Bryales.
9. Theory: Ecophysiology of bryophytes. Water relations, morphological adaptations for water controll. Mechanisms of dessication and regeneration. Photosynthetic activity of bryophytes. Nutrient regime. The role of bryophyte in ecosystems. Practice: Determination of selected species of Hypnales.
10. Theory: Bryogeography. Dispersal loimitations of bryophytes. Explanation of recent distributions: long term dispersal versus continental drift. Major area types. Esthablishment of criptic species and their biogeography. Major bryogeographical regions. Practice: Determination of selected species of Hypnales.
11. Conservation biology of bryophytes. The role of limitation of red lists. Conservation possibilities of species. Conservation of bryophyte communites and their habitats. Endangered bryophyte assemblages. Conservation status of bryophytes in Hungary and global. Practice: Determination of selected species of Hypnales.
12. Theory: Community ecology of bryophytes I.. Description of bryophyte assemblages. Phytosociology of bryophytes. Quantitave assesment of bryophyte assemblages: possibilities and constrains of samling and analysis (classification, gradient analysis, association analysis). Practice: Determination of selected species of Leucodontales.
13. Theory: Community ecology of bryophytes II. Exploration of most important environmental factors of bryophyte assemblages. Possibilities of functional description of assemblages. Dynamics of bryophyte assemblages. Practice: Determination of own collections.
14. Theory: Communit ecolgy of bryophytes III. General description of major bryophyte communities: arctic region, boreal and alpine forest, wetlands, lowland and montane tropical forests. Practice: Determination of own collections.
15. Theory: Description of major bryophyte communities of Hungary. Shaded rock cliffs and outcrops. Open rock grasslands. Epiphyte and epixylic assemblages. Closed grasslands. Alkaline communities. Wetlands. Practice: Determination of own collections.
-
Theoratical material prepared by the lecturers, available online: http://ramet.elte.hu/~ramet/oktatas/moha.html.
-
Photos, drawing and description of studied species avilable on CD.
-
Recommended books:
-
Schofield, W.B. 1985. Introduction to Bryology. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.
-
Glime, J. 2006. Bryophyte Ecology. Vol. 1. Physiological Ecology. E-book: http://www.bryoecol.mtu.edu/