Testing in Rm. Holiday, Wednesday exam. One third on previous material, two thirds on last third of course. This introductory science course includes principles of dispersal of native plants to Hawai'i and their evolution and the subsequent impact of human activity. Laboratory activities include basic plant structure and function, identification of native and introduced plants, and importance of tropical plants.
Field trips are to botanical gardens and natural sites of interest.
To have some understanding of plant genetics and evolution which underlie the changes in plant forms. To be able to define the terms of native and introduced, as they apply to plants and be able to identify about 100 significant plants of Hawai'i. To be able to explain how the Hawaiian island chain developed, and the impact of plant dispersal which determined the types of plant life found on the islands. To be able to describe some of the significant environmental factors in Hawaii, the resulting vegetation zones and how they influenced the adaptations and distribution of native plants. To learn about the history of human activity on the islands, starting with the Polynesians progressing to later-arriving western peoples and its impact on plant life in the islands.