Conclusion

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V. Conclusion

Not only are the various plant adaptations we’ve discussed fascinating to study—they are also important considerations for gardeners. Understanding how the plants in your garden get what they need and respond to the challenges they face helps you provide the optimum conditions for them. And a gardener hoping to propagate plants by seed would be wise to learn beforehand just what conditions those seeds need before they’ll break out of dormancy and germinate.

Well, this is the end of Exploring the Garden: Plant Growth and Diversity. We hope you’ve enjoyed the course and that it has sparked a new and deeper appreciation for, and understanding of, the miracles taking place in your plants and your environment. Please join us for Exploring the Garden: Plant Relationships and Cycles, the second part of our journey into the world of plants!

Conclude Course 1

For more information, check out these links to other sites:

Day Length

U.S. Naval Observatory, Astronomical Applications Department.
Sun or Moon Rise/Set Table for One Year
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/AA/data/

Evolution

On-line versions of three of Charles Darwin’s works, including On the Origin of the Species. http://www.literature.org/Works/Charles-Darwin/

"Another "living fossil" discovered in north Queensland. An amazing new discovery in the rainforests of north Queensland is likely to shed new light on the evolution of flowering plants." http://kaos.erin.gov.au/life/end_vuln/plants/new_prot.html

An introduction to evidence of the evolutionary process in the Galapagos Islands
http://www.terraquest.com/galapagos/wildlife/fintro.html

Rainforests

"Diversity — An Overview from the Tropical Rainforests" http://www.gn.apc.org/LivingEarth/RainforestDB/Ecology/1.3/1.3.3.html

"A Journey into the Canopy" of a rainforest http://www.gn.apc.org/LivingEarth/RainforestDB/Ecology/1.5/1.5.3.html

"Lianas from the Tropical Rainforest" http://www.gn.apc.org/LivingEarth/RainforestDB/Ecology/1.3/1.3.5.html

"Epiphytes from the Tropical Rainforest" http://www.gn.apc.org/LivingEarth/RainforestDB/Ecology/1.3/1.3.6.html

"Silent Survivors"— A look at some unusual plant life in the rainforest http://www.pbs.org/tal/costa_rica/res2/real.html

"Biomes of the World" — An interesting overview; scroll down to read about rainforests. http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/worldbiomes.html

Deserts

Desert ecology — "Plant Adaptations" http://www.nps.gov/cany/flora.htm

"Desert Cacti" — All about these remarkable plants http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/may/stories/cactus.html