Silviculture - the Science of Forest Stand Management
Information from the course leader
Welcome to Silviculture!
This is the third course within the Master's programme Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management, but can be also taken as a stand-alone course.
Please note that subtle changes in the schedule will happen during the course and those will be announced through Canvas. The most updated schedule is ALWAYS placed on Canvas (not on the course webpage).
Since the course has a few invited lectures from all over Sweden, some lectures are online. Some lecturers may do their on-campus teaching also online but this won't be the rule. If there is a group assignment, it is up to the students how they organize their work - both online and in-person are allowed.
This is a 100% pace, on-campus class which will require students to work on average 8 hours a day. We expect you to be in class everyday, but officially 'mandatory' classes are shown highighted in BLUE on the schedule. If you cannot make the mandatory days, you will need to do an assignment to make up for missing this mandatory event. Please, accomodate your schedule to this.
We are very much looking forward meeting everybody on January 20th at 9:15 am in Bokskogen (on the same floor as the Service Center and Library)!
Kind regards from the course leaders,
Eliza Maher Hasselquist, Hyungwoo Lim, and Ulrik Ilstedt
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is not yet activated
The course evaluation is open between 2025-03-17 and 2025-04-07
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SV0055 Silviculture - the Science of Forest Stand Management, 15.0 Credits
Skogsskötsel - vetenskaplig grundSubjects
Forestry ScienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
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
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, of which 60 credits in one of the following subjects/fields of study:- Forestry science
- Forest science
- Forest management
Alternatively 15 credits in forestry science or forest science or forest management and 60 credits in one of the following subjects/fields of study:
- Biology
- Soil science
- Environmental science
- Natural resource management
- Natural geography
English 6 is required for both alternatives
Objectives
The overall aim of the course is to convey in-depth knowledge of methods suitable for evaluating the impact of contemporary and emerging management systems on forest growth, stand structure and ecosystem services at the tree and stand level. We place special emphasis on the knowledge and tools needed to analyze how forest stands can be managed to sustainably provide the desired goods and services under different conditions and with different management goals.
After completion of the course, the students should be able to
- Explain and apply ecological and management-related principles for the development of trees and stands with the help of various modeling exercises and relate the impact of silvicultural measures on the state of the forest durig prevailing environmental conditions
- Analyze how stand dynamics change depending on management goals and measures, site characteristics, and climatic conditions
- Analyze and forecast the impact of silvicultural measures on tree and stand growth, soil properties, and on energy and water balances
- Design field trials and computer simulations, and sampling procedures to answer basic management questions and test hypotheses, analyze data with relevant software and statistical tools, and draw conclusions
- Evaluate the scientific basis for both established and emerging management systems such as management of mixed forests, clear-cut forestry, agroforestry, and management of full-storied stands
- Critically examine contemporary debates on forestry and forest management
- Search, critically review, summarize and analyze relevant scientific literature
- Use effective communication that take into account different stakeholders and different channels (eg research reports, oral presentations and posters).
Content
Content
The studies include experimental approaches and advanced analysis methods that can be used to diagnose the current and future influence of silviculture on the characteristics of stands and individual trees. During the course, critical review of scientific literature in forestry and ecology as well as scientific writing is also practiced.
Implementation
The teaching is structured around a number of group assignment which also is part of the examination. The assignments contain both quantitative and experimental elements and provide the opportunity for individual in depth studies within the included subject areas. The course uses different teaching methods to promote student learning and discussion through classroom exercises, literature studies, seminars, discussions, and field trips.
*The course focuses on the following generic competencies: *
- Critical thinking
- Digital competence
- Oral and written communication
- Ability to work independently
- Problem solving
- Cooperation
- Autonomy
- Time planning/management of time frames
- Scientific methods
The following course components are mandatory:
- excursion
Collaboration with the surrounding community is facilitated through presentations by various stakeholders in society, such as forest owner associations, forestry companies, conservation associations, and municipalities
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 reports
Approved oral presentations
Approved data visualizations
Approved participation in discussions
Completed mandatory 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.
Responsible department
Department of Forest ecology and Management
Further information
Litterature list
Pretzsch H, 2009 Forest Dynamics, Growth and Yield, chap. 2, 6, 10 and 11 (Will provide on request)
Landsberg, J. and P. Sands. 2011. Physiological ecology of forest production: principles, processes and models. Terrestrial Ecology. Elsevier Chap. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 (Will provide on request)
Pommerening, A. 2023. Continuous Cover Forestry: Theories, Concepts, and Implementation.
- There will be an open book exam in class that you will only have access to a hard copy of this book. There are only 2-3 hard copies available in the SLU library. We suggest you buy this one.