Final: Notes
Topics
1. Know the characteristics of all the plant families we’ve reviewed, especially the more recent
ones. There will be some unknowns for you to identify to family and/or genus in
class. Please bring your plant keys.
2.
Life forms –
you needn’t memorize Raunkiaer terminology, but know the characteristics and
traits of the different life forms.
3.
Dispersion –
know the different dispersion patterns of desert plants, and the forces
(interactions) that influence those patterns.
4.
Plot measures –
know the different plot measurements we’ve discussed and gathered, and their
importance. E.g. density, cover, richness, evenness, diversity, etc.
5.
Gradient analysis – know the methods, observations, and conclusions we came up with on
the gradient analysis lab we did up
6.
Lecture on plant invasions.
7.
Handouts on invasions and biodiversity.
Exam layout
1.
About 55% short
answer (multiple choice and matching).
2.
Short answer,
paragraph length (about 30%)
3.
Unknowns for you
to identify (5-10%)
4.
Your own question
and answer: Must require an answer of at least one paragraph. Must be written
in class without notes. Must be a question and answer relevant to the course,
and not one already asked on the final. (5%)
5.
Self-evaluation:
write down the grade you feel you deserve in the class, based upon the effort
you put into the class, and what you got out of the class. Justify any answer of a B or
above. (5%)
Besides this, thank you very much
for a good and enlightening semester. This class was certainly one of the
sharpest groups of students I’ve taught in many years. I wish you all
happiness, good health, and success in your future endeavors. Feel free to drop
by and say hello when you pass by my cabin door. I truly hope you’ve learned something
of plants and deserts (our surroundings and co-inhabitants) in the course of the
semester, and have found some pleasure in the process.
Be well,
Fred