Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SV0059 Silviculture of Temperate Forests, 15.0 Credits

Skötsel av tempererade skogar

Subjects

Forestry Science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

A1N

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

The equivalent of

120 credits

60 credits within one of the following subjects/main fields of study

- forestry science
- forest science
- forest management
- biology
- environmental sciences
- natural resource management

English 6.

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of silvicultural principles and practices for the sustainable management of temperate forests in Europe.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to

• evaluate alternative silvicultural strategies and their application
• apply silvicultural principles to problem solving in forestry practice and at the forest policy level
• identify and communicate solutions to conflicts regarding the application of alternative silvicultural practices
• implement silvicultural practices in different forest settings depending on management objective
• quantify the effects of silvicultural practices to understand their limitations with regard to human utilisation and the sustainable use of temperate forests
• critically and systematically integrate knowledge, as well as present and discuss results and conclusions.

Content

The students will be presented with contrasting paradigms and silvicultural practices. These include even-aged plantation forestry, continuous cover forestry, close-to-nature forestry, multifunctional forestry, forestry for high-quality timber production, urban forestry, restoration forestry and historical management approaches.

The course emphasizes objective-oriented silviculture based on ecological principles and scientific knowledge derived from long-term field experiments and other empirical investigations. Management alternatives for selected tree species will be used to illustrate and discuss major principles and practices of silviculture.

The curriculum includes the following topics:

• Brief overview of temperate forest ecosystems, including site types, forest types and major tree species.
• Silviculture as a means of achieving management objectives and as a basis for sustainable forest management.
• The silvicultural practices of regeneration, tending and harvesting.
• Forest production principles and forest productivity.
• Forest regeneration and afforestation.
• Managing forest productivity, stand density and wood quality.
• Silvicultural practices of regeneration, tending and harvesting for major temperate forest types and tree species in Europe. These include relevant conifer species of Abies, Chamaecyparis, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Taxus, Thuja and Tsuga, and relevant hardwood species of Acer, Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Castanea, Fagus, Fraxinus, Juglans, Malus, Populus, Pyrus, Prunus, Quercus, Robinia, Sorbus, Tilia and Ulmus.
• Silvicultural systems in a contemporary context.
• Site mapping for site-specific silviculture.
• Silviculture for special sites, including mountain slopes, wetlands, heathlands, inland sands, coastal dune fields and land reclamation sites.
• The protective functions of forests (erosion, water, deadwood, biodiversity, cultural remains, amenity values).
• Managing mammal damage to forest trees.
• Managing forest health (biotic and abiotic factors, climate change).
• Silvicultural practices for biodiversity conservation.
• Forest aesthetics and recreation.
• Layout and design of managed forests.

To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used: Lectures, literature studies, exercises, written exercises, (written) assignments, laboratory sessions, project work, seminars, study visits, study trips, field exercises, excursions, proficiency training, presentations

Group work during the course includes practical field exercises and the preparation and presentation of silvicultural profiles for selected tree species. The field exercises include data collection in the forest, subsequent analyses, reporting and presentation. The species profiles should be compiled and presented as a power-point presentation.

The literature includes selected scientific papers, extracts from international textbooks, lecture notes and notes for field trips.

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
Information competence, critical thinking and reflection, problem solving, scientific methods, use of technology, oral and written communication, teamwork.

The following course components are compulsory: The study trips, excursions, individual and group assignments as well as exercises and seminars.

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

Passed examinations.

Approved written exercises.

Approved participation in compulsory components.

• 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 includes two one-week study tours in Denmark, Germany or other European countries and some one-day tours in Sweden. These usually take place in September and include time outside of normal work hours. Students will be asked to pay the costs of accommodation (youth hostels) and meals during the study tours and to cover parts of the travel costs.

Responsible department

Department of Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre