ALT It will focus on the description and analysis of clonal, bud bank, fine root traits using methods of plant morphology, architecture and anatomy. The course will be composed of lectures and practical trait assessments enabling application of taught methods. Course description: The course starts with lectures presenting the latest developments in the understanding of ecological functions of belowground plant traits which are mostly overlooked in contemporary functional ecology. Introduced topics: plant form and function, plant architecture as a demographical constraint, clonal traits and environmental gradients, bud bank and disturbance, anatomical traits in herb roots and belowground organs. The lectures will be accompanied by field excursions, plant sampling and trait assessment in the laboratory. Methods of functional traits assessment which are presented include: clonal and bud bank traits, herb-chronological analysis using morphological and anatomical markers, and plant age assess