Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Plant diversity of Mediterranean-type ecosystems with an emphasis on cultivated species(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2019) Botros, Mina Habib; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Matthew LavinThe Mediterranean Basin is an important biodiversity hotspot. Unfortunately, only 5% of its original vegetation remains intact because people have managed and transformed the landscape for the past 2000 years. In the last century, humans overused the semi-natural habitats which had a negative impact on the area more than earlier times. This is in addition to the mechanization of agriculture which had a negative impact on the area as well (Puddu, Falcucci, and Maiorano 2011). Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs) are as plant diverse as tropical ecosystems. This biodiversity is larger than expected considering the relatively high latitude and the low productivity of the region. This makes these areas a good case study to examine the processes affecting plant diversity. Five MTEs are described as biodiversity hotspots due to the high numbers of endemic plant species. Scientists are working to decrease the biodiversity loss in the Mediderranean area. Here we will discuss biodiversity, cultivated species, and threats to Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Moreover, we will present the adaptation of these species to biotic and abiotic stresses, in addition to scientists' efforts to develop cultivars well-adapted to these stresses.Item Geographies of mobility and belonging: critical plant studies and hopeful worldviews(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2020) Rasile, Alayna May; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Josh DeWeeseThis paper makes a case for the miraculous nature of vegetal life and subverts the cultural failings of western civilization that have omitted ecological literacy and replaced it with ecosystem manipulation. Through examining the resiliency, adaptability, and mobility of plants, this thesis proposes a reconsideration of the idea of vegetal life being 'rooted' or immobile by choosing a posthuman lens that challenges the linear, human-scaled time and the Cartesian split of mind and body. Through my research on textile technology and my conviction for mutualistic co-species relationships, I explore opportunities for humans to use the implicit structure of capitalism with a methodology that is regenerative for landscapes and supportive of diverse vegetal life. These market-based solutions allow for positive material relationships with all aspects of an ecosystem.Item The effects of participating in plant-people activities on general biology college students(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2015) Williams, Lisa Davis; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.Student interest in plants and botany generally declines around the fifth grade and continues to decrease throughout the middle and high school years. New lectures and lab exercises for a mixed-majors general biology course that focused on plant-people relationships were developed. These activities were hypothesized to improve student attitude and awareness of plants and to increase their motivation to learn more about them. Students were surveyed regarding their interest in plants and regarding their knowledge of local woody plant species both pretreatment and post-treatment. During the non-treatment unit, students were instructed using the traditional lecture method and participated in lab exercises on plant structure. At the end of the unit, a standard exam was used to assess their knowledge. Topics examined during the treatment unit were medicinal plants and teas and relationships amongst plants, soil, water and people. For an introduction to ecology, plant examples were used to illustrate ecological principles wherever possible. The lecture method combined with two short assessments and two out-of-class assignments focusing on these topics. In lab, students completed a drawing exercise, created a woody plant portfolio, and participated in exercises on medicinal properties of plants, and tea brewing and tasting. There was no change in student interest in plant-related topics over the course of this project. Student ability to identify common woody plants and vines significantly improved after developing a plant portfolio. Grades for post-treatment assessment were higher than non-treatment assessment. Instructor motivation to teach botanical topics was low-to-medium at the beginning but was high at the end of this project. A new botany course intended for non-science majors has been proposed using many of the materials and tools from this project.