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LK0378

Urban Forestry - management of urban forests and trees

Urban Forestry - Förvaltning av stadens skog och träd
A city without forests and trees is an unsustainable city! Therefore we need Urban forestry i.e. the art, science and technology of managing trees and forest resources in and around urban community ecosystems for the ecological, sociological, economic, and aesthetic benefits trees provide society. The course integrates the fields of landscape architecture, forestry and ecology – all in an urban and peri-urban context - through collaboration between the department of Landscape Architecture, Planning & Management and the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre. The course provides students with knowledge and skills for multiple-use planning and management of the urban tree resource, emphasizing social, cultural, economic and ecological perspectives. Focus is on urban wooded areas but many links to the other parts of cities’ tree populations (such as park and street trees) are also included. The course offers theoretical and practical knowledge on how to link environmental aesthetics, socio-cultural values and biodiversity through design, planning and management of the urban forest. Lectures are combined with excursions, seminars and exercises – and in all of these the different backgrounds of both students and teachers are seen as an educational asset. A main real-life case-study runs throughout the whole course. The main case-study will train students in how to develop and communicate a multiple-use management plan for an urban woodland park.

Course evaluation

The course evaluation is now closed

LK0378-20045 - Course evaluation report

Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.

Additional course evaluations for LK0378

Academic year 2024/2025

Urban Forestry - management of urban forests and trees (LK0378-20059)

2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19

Academic year 2022/2023

Urban Forestry - management of urban forests and trees (LK0378-20010)

2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15

Academic year 2021/2022

Urban Forestry - management of urban forests and trees (LK0378-20016)

2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16

Academic year 2020/2021

Urban Forestry - management of urban forests and trees (LK0378-20063)

2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17

Syllabus and other information


Syllabus

LK0378 Urban Forestry - management of urban forests and trees, 15.0 Credits

Urban Forestry - Förvaltning av stadens skog och träd

Subjects

Forest Science Landscape Architecture Landscape Architecture Forest science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Modules

Title Credits Code
Single module 15.0 0101

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

5:Pass with Distinction, 4:Pass with Credit, 3:Pass, U:Fail
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, of which

specific entry requirements: 90 credits in one of the following subjects:

• architecture • landscape architecture • landscape planning • built environment • design • spatial planning • geography • landscape science • environmental science • civil engineering • biology • forest science • forest management

OR 30 credits from Euroforester Master´s Programme

English 6 or equivalent.

Objectives

The course gives an insight to the integrated concept of Urban forestry i.e. the art, science and technology of managing trees and forest resources in and around urban community ecosystems for the ecological, sociological, economic, and aesthetic benefits trees provide society. The main objective of the course is to enable the student to develop suitable plans for management of urban forests and trees, including inventories, analysis and management descriptions.

After having completed the course, the student should be able to:

  • discuss different perspectives of urban forestry including aspects of biodiversity, forest health, aesthetics, recreation, cultural heritage and ecosystem services.

  • apply basic inventories and analysis of urban forests and trees.

  • develop suitable plans for the management of urban forests and trees.

  • propose suitable management operations for urban forests and trees.

Content

The course is based on thematic cases to which lectures, seminaries, excursions and exercises are connected. The course combines aspects of urban ecology, forest science, landscape architecture and urban planning. The main geographical scope of course is the temperate climate zone.

Seminars, exercises, presentations and excursions are compulsory.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved assignments.

Participation in compulsory elements.

  • If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

  • The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

  • If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

  • For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

  • The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

  • If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

Courses in Landscape Planning from SLU counts as Landscape Architecture when assessing qualifications.

The course departs from that the student’s possess basic plant knowledge and is familiar with the most common trees and shrubs of the region where the course is given. In case the student do not possess this knowledge it is up to the student themselves to enquire this knowledge before and during the course.

Responsible department

Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management

Further information

Replaces: LK0318

Litterature list

Literature list 2022 - LK0378 Urban Forestry

If not else stated below the literature or needed extracts from it will be available on Canvas

Reference textbooks in relation to the course

  1. Konijnendijk, C.C. 2008. The Forest and the City – the cultural landscape of urban woodland. Springer
  2. O'Hara, K., 2014. Multiaged Silviculture: Managing for Complex Forest Stand Structures. Oxford University Press. Available digitally through the University library: http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198703068.001.0001/acprof-9780198703068
  3. San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), 2016. European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. **Available digitally through: **https://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/en/european-atlas/atlas-download-page/

**Articles and Book chapters in relation to the teaching activities in the course **

  1. Konijnendijk, C.C., Ricard, R.M., Kenney, A., Randrup, T.B., 2006. Defining urban forestry - A comparative perspective of North America and Europe. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 4, 93-103.
  2. Rydberg, D., Falck, J., 2000. Urban forestry in Sweden from a silvicultural perspective: a review. Landscape and Urban Planning 47, 1-18.
  3. Ode, Å., Fry, G.L.A., 2002. Visual aspects in urban woodland management. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 1, 15-24.
  4. Sjöman, H., Morgenroth, J., Sjöman, J.D., Sæbø, A., Kowarik, I., 2016. Diversification of the urban forest—Can we afford to exclude exotic tree species? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 18, 237-241.
  5. Leonardsson, J., Götmark, F., 2015. Differential survival and growth of stumps in 14 woody species after conservation thinning in mixed oak-rich temperate forests. European Journal of Forest Research 134, 199-209.
  6. Jansson, M., Fors, H., Lindgren, T., Wiström, B., 2013. Perceived personal safety in relation to urban woodland vegetation - A review. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 12, 127–133.
  7. Florgård, C., Forsberg, O., 2006. Residents´ use of remnat natural vegetation in the residential area of Järvafältet, Stockholm. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 5, 83-92.
  8. Wiegersma, L., Olsen, I, A., 2004. NeighbourWoods Comparative analysis of three urban woodlands in Denmark and the Netherlands. Rapport, KVL, Köpenhamn, pp 4-11 & pp 36-59
  9. Sæbø, A., Benedikz, T., Randrup, T.B., 2003. Selection of trees for urban forestry in the Nordic countries. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2, 101-114.
  10. Simpson, J. 2015. Restoring the Acadian Forest. Nimbus Publishing, Halifax. pp 40-63.
  11. Köhl, M., 2004. INVENTORY | Forest Inventory and Monitoring A2 - Burley, Jeffery, Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences. Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 403-409.
  12. Savill, P.S., 2004. SILVICULTURE | Silvicultural Systems A2 - Burley, Jeffery, Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences. Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 1003-1011.
  13. Kerr, G., 2004. PLANTATION SILVICULTURE | Tending A2 - Burley, Jeffery, Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences. Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 837-845.
  14. Savill, P.S., Evans, J., 2004. PLANTATION SILVICULTURE | Thinning A2 - Burley, Jeffery, Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences. Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 845-850.
  15. Spinelli, R., 2004. HARVESTING | Harvesting of Thinnings A2 - Burley, Jeffery, Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences. Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 252-259.
  16. Sheppard,** **S.R.J., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Croy, O., Macias, A., Barron, S., 2017. Urban forest governance and community engagement, in: Ferrini, F., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Fini, A. (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Urban Forestry. Taylor & Francis Group, Milton,, pp. 205-221.
  17. Rydberg, D., Falck, J., 1998. Designing the urban forest of tomorrow: pre-commercial thinning adapted for use in urban areas in Sweden. Arboricultural Journal 22, 147-171. 
  18. Bauhus, J., Forrester, D.I., Pretzsch, H., 2017. Mixed-Species Forests: The Development of a Forest Management Paradigm, in: Pretzsch, H., Forrester, D.I., Bauhus, J. (Eds.), Mixed-Species Forests: Ecology and Management. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 1-25.
  19. Löf M, Ersson BT, Hjälten J et al. 2015. Site Preparation Techniques for Forest Restoration. Chapter 5, p 85-102. Stanturf JA (Ed.): Restoration of Boreal and Temperate Forests, 2d edition. CRC Press.
  20. O'Hara, K.L., 2007. Pruning wounds and occlusion: A long-standing conundrum in forestry. Journal of Forestry 105(3), 131-138.
  21. Löf, M., Brunet, J., Filyushkina, A., Lindbladh, M., Skovsgaard, J.P., Felton, A., 2016. Management of oak forests: striking a balance between timber production, biodiversity and cultural services. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management 12, 59-73.
  22. Gustavsson, R., Hermy, M., Konijnendijk, C.C., Steidle-Schwahn, A., 2005. Management of urban woodland and parks - Searching for creative and sustainable concepts., in: Konijnendijk, C.C., Nilsson, K., Randrup, T.B., Schipperijn, J. (Eds.), Urban forest and trees. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 370-396.
  23. Auch, E., Pohris, H., Biernath, M., 2016. Urban woods for relaxation and inspiration, in: Roloff, A. (Ed.), Urban Tree Management : For the Sustainable Development of Green Cities. John Wiley & Sons, New York,, pp. 247-259.
  24. Schütz, J.-P., Pukkala, T., Donoso, P.J., von Gadow, K., 2012. Historical Emergence and Current Application of CCF, in: Pukkala, T., von Gadow, K. (Eds.), Continuous Cover Forestry. Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, pp. 1-28.
  25. Harmer, R., 2004. SILVICULTURE | Coppice Silviculture Practiced in Temperate Regions A2 - Burley, Jeffery, Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences. Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 1045-1052.
  26. Nielsen, A.B., Moller, F., 2008. Is coppice a potential for urban forestry? The social perspective. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 7, 129-138.
  27. Wiström, B., 2015. Forest edge development - management and design of forest edges in infrastructure and urban environments, Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, pp 21-30
  28. Fors, H., Jansson, M., Nielsen, A.B., 2018. The Impact of Resident Participation on Urban Woodland Quality - A Case Study of Sletten, Denmark. Forests 9, 670.
  29. Heyman, E., 2010. Clearance of understory in urban woodlands: Assessing impact on bird abundance and diversity. Forest Ecology and Management 260, 125-131.
  30. Plieninger, T., Hartel, T., Martín-López, B., Beaufoy, G., Bergmeier, E., Kirby, K., Montero, M.J., Moreno, G., Oteros-Rozas, E., Van Uytvanck, J., 2015. Wood-pastures of Europe: Geographic coverage, social–ecological values, conservation management, and policy implications. Biological Conservation 190, 70-79.
  31. Rackham, O., 2013. Woodland and wood-pasture, in: Rotherham, I.D. (Ed.), Trees, Forested Landscapes and Grazing Animals : A European Perspective on Woodlands and Grazed Treescapes. Taylor & Francis Group, London, pp. 11-22.
  32. Östberg, J., Delshammar, T., Wiström, B., Nielsen, A.B., 2012. Grading of Parameters for Urban Tree Inventories by City Officials, Arborists, and Academics Using the Delphi Method. Environmental Management, 1-15.
  33. Östberg, J., Wiström, B., Randrup, T.B., 2018. The state and use of municipal tree inventories in Swedish municipalities – results from a national survey. Urban Ecosystems 21, 467-477.
  34. Ordóñez, C., Duinker, P.N., 2013. An analysis of urban forest management plans in Canada: Implications for urban forest management. Landscape and Urban Planning 116, 36-47.
  35. Goddard, M.A., Dougill, A.J., Benton, T.G., 2010. Scaling up from gardens: biodiversity conservation in urban environments. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 25, 90-98.
  36. Svännel, J, Ode Sang, Å, Sang, N, Deak Sjöman, J. Jansson, M 2020. Digital systems and tools to support urban open space governance In Urban Open Space Governance and Management. London: Routledge, pp 168-189
  37. Kehr, R., 2016. Aspects of urban tree pathology, in: Roloff, A. (Ed.), Urban Tree Management : For the Sustainable Development of Green Cities. John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 58-81.
  38. Smiley, E.T., Fraedrich, B.R., Fengler, P.H., 2007. Hazard Tree Inspection, Evaluation, and Management, in: Kuser, J.E. (Ed.), Handbook of Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast. Springer US, Boston, MA, pp. 277-294.
  39. Nowak, D.J., Dwyer, J.F., 2007. Understanding the Benefits and Costs of Urban Forest Ecosystems, in: Kuser, J.E. (Ed.), Handbook of Urban and Community Forestry in the Northeast. Springer US, Boston, MA, pp. 25-46.
  40. Slater, D., 2018. Natural bracing in trees: management recommendations. Arboricultural Journal 40, 106-133.
  41. Duinker, P.N., Lehvävirta, S., Nielsen, A.B., Toni, S.A., 2017. Urban woodlands and their management, in: Ferrini, F., Konijnendijk van den Bosch, C.C., Fini, A. (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Urban Forestry. Taylor & Francis Group, Milton, pp. 515-528.
  42. Simonsson, P., Gustafsson, L., Östlund, L., 2015. Retention forestry in Sweden: driving forces, debate and implementation 1968–2003. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 30, 154-173.
  43. Buckley, P., Mills, J., 2015. Coppice Silviculture: From the Mesolithic to the 21st Century. in Kirby, K., Watkins (Eds.), Europe’s Changing Woods and Forests: From Wildwood to Managed Landscapes. CABI. Pp. 77-92.
  44. Hartel, T., Plieninger, T., Varga, A., 2015. Wood-pastures in Europe. in Kirby, K., Watkins (Eds.), Europe’s Changing Woods and Forests: From Wildwood to Managed Landscapes. CABI. Pp. 61-75.
  45. Kelty, M.J., 2006. The role of species mixtures in plantation forestry. Forest Ecology and Management 233, 195-204.
  46. Östberg, J., Sandberg, K., Wiström, B., 2021. Rating of parameters used to assess tree vitality by urban foresters and ecologists in Sweden, using the Delphi method. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 62, 127134.
  47. Kowarik, I., 2005. Wild Urban Woodlands: Towards a Conceptual Framework, in: Kowarik, I., Körner, S. (Eds.), Wild Urban Woodlands: New Perspectives for Urban Forestry. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 1-32.
  48. Bell, S., Blom, D., Rautamäki, M., Castel-Branco, C., Simson, A., Olsen, I.A., 2005. Design of Urban Forests, in: Konijnendijk, C., Nilsson, K., Randrup, T., Schipperijn, J. (Eds.), Urban Forests and Trees: A Reference Book. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 149-186.
  49. Körner, S., 2005. Nature Conservation, Forestry, Landscape Architecture and Historic Preservation: Perspectives for a Conceptual Alliance, in: Kowarik, I., Körner, S. (Eds.), Wild Urban Woodlands: New Perspectives for Urban Forestry. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 193-220.

Course facts

The course is offered as an independent course: Yes The course is offered as a programme course: Landscape Architecture- Master's Programme Landscape Architecture Programme, Alnarp Euroforester - Master's Programme Forest Science - Master's Programme Tuition fee: Tuition fee only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens: 74982 SEK Cycle: Master’s level (A1N)
Subject: Forest Science Landscape Architecture Landscape Architecture Forest science
Course code: LK0378 Application code: SLU-20045 Location: Alnarp Distance course: No Language: English Responsible department: Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management Pace: 100%