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Syllabus

SV0044 Southern Sweden´s forests and landscapes, 7.5 Credits

Södra Sveriges skogar och landskap

Subjects

Forestry Science Biology

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G2F)

Grading scale

Language

Swedish

Prior knowledge

At least 60 credits at basic level within the subject forestry science and/or biology

Objectives

The aim of the course is to give the student knowledge of the ecology and management of southern Swedish forests. The course focuses especially on southern deciduous forests and management towards several goals in a social and economic context with many different stakeholders and land uses other than forestry.

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• identify and describe the most common vegetation types in southern Swedish deciduous forests and the plant species that characterize them, including herbs, grasses, trees and shrubs
• describe how climate and land use have affected the vegetation in southern Sweden since the last ice age, and how land use has developed in recent centuries
• explain the ecology and silviculture of the most common deciduous trees/forests and how the ecology and use of wood is reflected in how the forest is managed
• describe the role and silviculture of conifers in southern Swedish forest landscapes and contrasts with northern Sweden
• explain how the soil conditions vary in the landscape and how this is reflected in the vegetation, and describe through which processes trees and other plants affect the soil
• identify the damage of, and describe the ecology of, some of the most common diseases and pests of trees, and point out measures to limit the damage of these
• describe how different types of forest owners with different goals with their forestry, use their forest. The student should also be able to discuss trade-offs between different objectives and propose forest management measures based on these trade-offs.

Content

The teaching takes place mainly in the field with elements of study visits to various landowners and organizations. During the course, we visit many different forests and nature types where we alternate teacher-led teaching with small and larger tasks that students can work with in groups of varying sizes. We place special emphasis on the forest ecosystems that are unique to southern Sweden from a national perspective. Furthermore, students get to meet forest owners and organizations with different objectives with their ownership/forest use, and discuss trade-offs between the forest’s various benefits and risks associated with use. Attendance at all course elements is mandatory and a requirement for a passed course.

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

Active participation in all compulsory course elements as well as approved oral and written presentations.

• 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

The course is completely made up of field studies. In connection with these, costs arise for travel and accommodation that the student is expected to pay in full or in part her-/himself. More information about this is published on the course website. At the start of the course, participants are expected to have basic knowledge in forest management, forest ecology and soil science.

The right to take part in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course date to which the student has been admitted and registered on. If there are special reasons, the student may take part in course components that require compulsory attendance at a later date. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor’s and Master’s level. SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage [www.slu.se]().

Responsible department

Department of Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre