This module covers selected aspects and skills of botany and plant conservation, chosen with reference to their relevance to Ethnobotany. Students should complete the module with enhanced understanding of plant identification and classification, phytochemistry, the botany of selected plant families, plant conservation techniques, and the role of botany and botanical gardens in carrying out ethnobotany. Basic skills in botany are important for the ethnobotanist, both to enable identification of plants in fieldwork, and to enable understanding of the links between plant use and plant biology. The module will aim to ensure that all students reach a sufficient level to collect, document and mount herbarium specimens, be familiar with and use a botanical key, be able to name the main parts of the plant and explain their different roles in plant use, be familiar with the main chemical constituents of plants, and their function within the plants and for use by humans, and be familiar with the main printed and online resources available for researching specific plants.
Private Study: 160
Contact Hours: 40
Total: 200
Compulsory for:
MSc Ethnobotany
Not available as an optional module.
Plant parts and family ID test – 20%
Herbarium Voucher Specimens – 30%
Plant profile Assignment – 25%
Conservation Essay (2000 words)- 25%
Reassessment Details:
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Understand the ways in which botanists have approached the study of plant specimen collection and taxonomy.
Identify and collect a variety of plant material and process them into herbarium voucher specimens.
Source, critically evaluate, synthesise and present botanical, anthropological and other pertinent ethnobotanical information regarding particular plant species.
Discuss critically the relationship between plant species, groups or plants and the uses to which they are put, from the perspective of ethnobotany.
Deal with the threats posed by plant use through effective conservation.
Understand the role of botanic gardens in plant conservation and ethnobotanical research.
Demonstrate independent critical analysis and thinking.
Demonstrate the ability to link theory and practice in academic and non-academic contexts.
Demonstrate reflective evaluation of case studies within a multidisciplinary framework.
Demonstrate advanced research skills in key subject areas.
Express ideas via a variety of methods.
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