Measurements and Control in Ecophysiology
Semester Course: 2nd
Credits: 3 ECTS
Prerequisites:
Lecturers: Joan Costa Tura and Jorge Lampurlanes Castel
Web Site: www.udl.cat
- Objectives:
- In general: to expand knowledge and acquire practice in the management of the main instruments used in studies of environmental physiology in forest plants.
- Specific: to know the theoretical bases that applies to measurement and control, to understand how instrumentation and control techniques work. To update knowledge and discuss applications about present state of electronic instrumentation/sensors, data acquisition/transfer and control systems in forestry on selected examples.
- Programme topics:
- Introduction: Presentation. Objectives. Organization. Assessment
- Automation, data collection and control systems: Electronic bases. Acquisition of data: sensors and data-loggers. Data transfer. Control systems
- Measures in the air: Basic sensors
- Measures in the soil: root system. Content and water potential infiltracióm, moisture retention curves and hydraulic conductivity
- Measures with the plant: Radiation interception by canopy. LAI. Water stress. Net photosynthesis (and transpiration)
- Development of a class project: Presentation of a detailed protocol of work base on a real test case, where the student will have to use one of the instruments explained in the course
- Assessment:
Course requirements include the presentation of the practical class exercises (30%), a class project (50%) and a final exam (20%).