Sustainable Forestry in Southern Sweden, 15 credits
Focus is on forestry in southern Sweden. Important stakeholders share their views on issues in the current forest debate. Silviculture practices employed in contemporary forestry are analyzed against the background of long-term scientific experiments, modern technology and the market situation. Comparisons are also made to practices in other countries in the southern Baltic region.
Modern forestry has a great impact on landscape, biodiversity and nature values. The most important values are identified and discussed. Furthermore suggestions to mitigate adverse effects are elaborated.
The course includes about three weeks of field education, mainly located to SLU’s experimental forests in southern Sweden.
Prerequisites
The equivalent of: 120 credits, including 90 credits Forest Science/Forest Management or Biology and English language proficiency demonstrated as: - English B (Swedish secondary school) or equivalent. Grade requirement: A minimum grade of Pass in the course above
| Level |
Advanced |
| Subjects |
Forest Management, Biology |
| Application code |
SLU-10269 |
| Language |
English |
| Course leader |
Per Magnus Ekö
Telephone: 040-415191 |
Objective:
The course will provide overviews of key theoretical and practical elements of forestry in southern Sweden. Silvicultural and ecological issues associated with contemporary forestry will be studied in depth.
After completing the course the students should be able to:
1. Assess the implications and importance of silvicultural research for contemporary forestry
2. Compare forestry in countries with similar natural conditions, and analyze variations due to differences in tradition, economic circumstances, social needs and preferences, etc.
3. Identify the most significant nature-values in the boreal and nemoboreal zones of southern Scandinavia
4. Describe and analyse the impact of modern forestry on nature-values and suggest measures to mitigate adverse effects.
5. Read scientific literatures and communicate key ideas, results and conclusions
Content
The first learning outcome is reached through lectures, group projects and extensive field exercises and excursions. Furthermore, external lecturers from different forest organizations working in the region are invited to share their views on issues in contemporary forestry, e.g. adaptation to storm incidences, climate change and the wood market.
The second learning outcome is reached thanks to the international student group. Students have different backgrounds and are educated with emphasis on different aspects of the forestry resource. International practices are discussed continuously during the course. In addition lectures are offered by teachers from different countries.
The third and forth learning outcomes are achieved through lectures, literature seminars and field studies, where topics of vegetation history, identification of valuable biotopes and restoration of landscapes are covered.
The fifth learning outcome concerning generic skills is reached through a series of group projects, were students present their work individually, in cross groups. Feedback is given both on written materials and oral presentations.