Plant Ecology

Plant ecology is the study of how plants relate to their environment. Some plants can survive in the harshest of environmental conditions because they have learned to adapt to their surroundings. However, sometimes a plant's survival is threatened by its immediate surroundings due to pollution and other man made disasters. Some plants rely on animals for their continued evolution and a mutually beneficial relationship develops between the two species. In this section you will find information about all of these topics and more!

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Latest articles in Plant Ecology

Kudzu Invaded Canada while Under Attack in the United States

Kudzu, an invasive vine from Asia, encroached on Canadian soil in 2009. Meanwhile, an invasive insect has attacked it in the southern United States.

May 7, 2012 – Mike DeHaan

Mother Nature's Aid to Ailing Forests

Fire, insects, and disease in forests have long been feared by humans. Another way to look at them is that they are the natural response to our mistakes.

Mar 22, 2012 – Helen McGranahan

The Aroid, The Fly And The Lizard: Helicodiceros muscivorus

Enter the strange world of the Dead Horse Arum and encounter a fascinating three-way relationship between plant, pollinator and predator.

Feb 20, 2012 – Peter Ashby

How Plants Defend Themselves from Predators

What is a plant to do when threatened by predators? They can't run like animals do, but most have developed their own stay-in-place defenses.

Feb 17, 2012 – Helen McGranahan

Springtime in Semi-Arid Landscapes

Semi-arid landscapes in the American West have sometimes been referred to as botanical deserts. This is not so, particularly in the springtime.

Jan 31, 2012 – Helen McGranahan

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