Workshop in Plant Nutrient Analysis

BOT 6926C

Fall 2012

For Fall 2013 click here

Instructor: Jim Fourqurean

Phone: 305-348-4084 or cell 305-815-0287

Scheduled meeting times:

Thursday Oct 11, 10a-noon, MSB105

Friday Oct 12, 10a-noon, MSB362

Saturday Oct 27, 9a-3p, MSB 362

Other times in lab as needed for individual projects

Class will combine lectures on elemental stoichiometry and elemental cycling with practical instruction on how to collect, process and analyze biological samples for elemental content.† In addition to attending lectures and completing in-class exercises, you will complete an individual research project to gain practical experience running your own samples.

Before the first class read the following papers (there will be a quiz!):

Elser, J. J., Fagan, W. F., Denno, R. F., Dobberfuhl, D. R., Folarin, A., Huberty, A., Interlandi, S., Kilham, S. S., McCauley, E., Schulz, K. L., Siemann, E. H., and Sterner, R. W. (2000). Nutritional constraints in terrestrial and freshwater food webs. Nature 408, 578-580. doi:10.1038/35046058

Elser, J. J., Sterner, R. W., Gorokhova, E., Fagan, W. F., Markow, T. A., Cotner, J. B., Harrison, J. F., Hobbie, S. E., Odell, G. M., and Weider, L. J. (2000). Biological stoichiometry from genes to ecosystems. Ecology Letters 3, 540-550. doi:10.1046/j.1461-0248.2000.00185.x

Gusewell, S. (2004). N : P ratios in terrestrial plants: variation and functional significance. New Phytologist 164, 243-266. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01192.x

Redfield, A. C. (1958). The biological control of chemical factors in the environment. American Scientist 46, 205-221.