This unit examines how plants acquire resources such as carbon, nutrients and water and the environmental influences on these processes. The particular stresses of salinity, drought, low nutrients, extreme temperature and heavy metals and their effect on growth and development will be studied. The unit examines the functional and anatomical adaptations of plants with examples drawn from Australian flora. Assessment consists of an essay, a practical report and final examination. BOTY 355A will have a greater emphasis on complex analysis of the literature than BOTY 355, as well as the expectation of a greater capacity for problem solving and understanding concepts in plant ecophysiology. BOTY 555 will cover the material in greater depth than BOTY 355/355A, with additional assessment tasks requiring a greater level of understanding of the unit material.