Forest Regeneration
Course description
This course provides a comprehensive overview of forest regeneration in Scandinavia, highlighting the complexity of different regeneration methods. You will learn about everything from seed selection and planting to measuring seedling growth and vitality. The course connects the latest research and techniques to site conditions, climate change, and sustainable forestry.
Through lectures, field exercises, group work, and study visits, you gain practical experience in designing and analyzing forest regeneration trials. The course develops your ability to critically evaluate methods and plan sustainable solutions for the forests of the future.
Entry Requirements
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.
Course facts
- Course name
- Forest Regeneration
- Swedish course name
- Skoglig föryngring
- Level
- Second cycle (A1N)
- Main field of study
- Forestry Science
- Credits
- 7.5 credits
- Rate of study
- 100 %
- Study location
- Alnarp
- Form of instruction
- Campus-based instruction
- Application code
- SLU-10044
- Course code
- SV0057
- Course language
- English
- Included in program
-
Euroforester (MSc)
- Offered as a freestanding course
- Ja
- Tuition fee
- 22510 SEK
A warm welcome to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the course Forest Regeneration Master level course!
Below, you will find general information about the student account, registration for the course and other practical information.
The student account
You will need your student account to access e.g. your e-mail, Ladok and Canvas. For information regarding how to create your student account, follow this link: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/it-support/support/new-student---start/
Registration for the course
Self-registration for the course is done in Ladok between 2026-08-17 – 2026-08-31. Remember that you must be admitted and registered in Ladok to be able take the course. Having access to Canvas does not mean you are registered in the course and without registration, you are risking losing your place in the course. If you have been admitted to the course with conditions, you need to send your credit list to the course leader who will review it and decide if you can register. Do this as soon as possible as reviewing credits may take a few days due to the course start.
Schedule
The complete course schedule can be found in TimeEdit 4 weeks prior to the course start. To reach the schedule, please click the schedule button above.
Educational support
If you are entitled extra educational support, please inform the course leader at the start of the course so that special arrangements can be made.
For educational support for an exam, see instructions in the exam registration in Ladok Student. You need to register for alternative exam arrangements no later than 10 workings days prior to the examination day. More information here: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/study-support/funka/.
Discontinuation of a course
If you want to discontinue the course, you should immediately notify the educational administrators at desiree.mattsson@slu.se, who in turn will inform the course leader and register a non-completion of the course in Ladok after your approval. You are also able to register an early non-completion of the course (within three weeks after course start) in Ladok yourself.
Exams
You need to register for exams in Ladok. The registration closes 10 working days prior to the exam. You can find your anonymity code in Ladok Student. It's **not **possible to register for the exam after the deadline has passed.
SV0057, Forest Regeneration, 7.5 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Forestry Science
Sub-area forestry science
Natural processes 7,5 credits
Grading Scale
5 / 4 / 3 / U
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.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
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 purpose of the course is to present a comprehensive overview of the complete chain of forest regeneration, and to give the students insight in the complexity of regeneration methods in Scandinavian forestry.
After completing the course, students should be able to
- discuss and critically examine the characteristics and limitations of different regeneration methods used in contemporary forestry in Scandinavia
- describe and analyse different regeneration methods, from a perspective of forestry as part of a sustainable development
- describe experimental designs and develop forest regeneration trials, as well as analyze and evaluate forest regeneration trials
- measure and evaluate seedlings growth and vitality.
Content
During the course, the complete chain of forest regeneration is studied, from seed to established trees. New findings and insights in regeneration methods, seedling types, planting- and site preparation techniques will be discussed, and evaluated in relation to plant ecophysiology, site factors, climate change and multiple management objectives. The course also provides knowledge in design of regeneration experiments and in the techniques to measure seedling vitality and growth.
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used: Lectures, literature studies, exercises, (written/oral) assignments, project work, study visits, seminars, field exercises, excursions, presentations.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies: Problem solving, scientific methods, critical thinking, plan and manage time, creativity, teamwork but also ability to work autonomously.
The following course components are compulsory: Group activities, field excursions, study visits.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
Passed written examinations. Approved written exercises. Completed 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.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Euroforester (MSc)
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affecting Tree Seedling Establishment in Forests | 5.5 | 0010 |
| Field Excursion on Forest Regeneration | 2.0 | 0020 |
The Course Replaces
SG0255
Other Information
Students may incur some costs related to transportation, food and accommodation during field excursion (s).
The course is mainly campus-based but can be adapted to distance education if needed.
- 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.
**In-depth course in forest regeneration **– course literature, 2026
Please note that all listed course literature will be available in PDF format on Canvas (the student portal) before the start of the course.
Nursery seedlings in regeneration: ecophysiology and practices from propagation to field establishment - conifers
- Grossnickle, S.C. (2000). Ecophysiology of northern spruce species: the performance of planted seedlings. NRC Research Press.
- Grossnickle, S.C. (2005). Importance of root growth in overcoming planting stress. New forests, 30(2), 273-294.
- Grossnickle, S.C. (2012). Why seedlings survive: influence of plant attributes. New forests, 43(5), 711-738.
- Grossnickle, S., and MacDonald, J. (2018). Seedling Quality: History, Application, and Plant Attributes. Forests 9.
- Jacobs, D.F. & Landis, T.D. (2014). Plant nutrition and fertilization. Tropical Nursery Manual. Agricultural Handbook, 732, 232-251.
- Sikstrom, U., Hjelm, K., Hanssen, K.H., Saksa, T., and Wallertz, K. (2020). Influence of mechanical site preparation on regeneration success of planted conifers in clearcuts in Fennoscandia-a review. Silva Fennica 54.
- Nilsson, U., Luoranen, J., Kolström, T., Örlander, G. & Puttonen, P. (2010). Reforestation with planting in northern Europe. Scandinavian journal of forest research, 25(4), 283-294.
- Örlander, G., Gemmel, P. & Hunt, J. (1990). Site preparation: a Swedish overview.
- Thiffault, N. (2004). Stock type in intensive silviculture: a (short) discussion about roots and size. The Forestry Chronicle, 80(4), 463-468.
- Thiffault, N., Nordin, P., Wotherspoon, A., Hjelm, K., and Olofsson, E. (2025). A trans-Atlantic perspective on successful plantation establishment in boreal ecosystems: lessons learned and research opportunities. New Forests 56.
Natural regeneration
- Lidman, F.D., Karlsson, M., Lundmark, T., Sängstuvall, L. & Holmström, E. (2024). Birch establishes anywhere! So, what is there to know about natural regeneration and direct seeding of birch? New forests, 55(1), 157-171.
- Lula, M., Hanssen, K.H., Goude, M., Hökkä, H., Valkonen, S., Brunner, A., Rautio, P., Erefur, C. & Granhus, A. (2025a). Regeneration. In: Continuous Cover Forestry in Boreal Nordic Countries. Springer. 45-72.
- Lula, M., Trubins, R., Ekö, P.M., Johansson, U. & Nilsson, U. (2021). Modelling effects of regeneration method on the growth and profitability of Scots pine stands. Scandinavian journal of forest research, 36(4), 263-274.
- Övergaard, R. (2010). Seed production and natural regeneration of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in southern Sweden.
**Forest genetics **
- Eriksson, G. & Ekberg, I. (2001). An introduction to forest genetics.
Ecology of seeds
- Fenner, M. & Thompson, K. (2005). The ecology of seeds. Cambridge university press.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Seed sampling guidelines. RNGR. https://rngr.net/publications/seed-handling-guidebook/seed-testing/at_download/file
Regeneration of broadleaves
- Pohl, N.S., Hedwall, P.-O., Aldea, J., Felton, A.M., Gardiner, E.S., Muraro, L., Norden, B., and Löf, M. (2025). Effects of stand structural attributes on oak recruitment in mixed temperate forests. Forest Ecology and Management 586.
- Xu, W., and Prescott, C.E. (2024). Can assisted migration mitigate climate-change impacts on forests? Forest Ecology and Management 556.
- Redick, C.H., and Jacobs, D.F. (2020). Mitigation of Deer Herbivory in Temperate Hardwood Forest Regeneration: A Meta- Analysis of Research Literature. Forests 11.
- Löf, M., Madsen, P., Metslaid, M., Witzell, J., and Jacobs, D.F. (2019). Restoring forests: regeneration and ecosystem function for the future. New Forests 50, 139–151.
- Löf, M., Castro, J., Engman, M., Leverkus, A.B., Madsen, P., Reque, J.A., Villalobos, A., and Gardiner, E.S. (2019). Tamm Review: Direct seeding to restore oak (Quercus spp.) forests and woodlands. Forest Ecology and Management 448, 474–489.
- Villar-Salvador, P., Puertolas, J., Cuesta, B., Penuelas, J.L., Uscola, M., Heredia-Guerrero, N., and Rey Benayas, J.M. (2012). Increase in size and nitrogen concentration enhances seedling survival in Mediterranean plantations. Insights from an ecophysiological conceptual model of plant survival. New Forests 43, 755–770.
- Löf, M., Dey, D.C., Navarro, R.M., and Jacobs, D.F. (2012). Mechanical site preparation for forest restoration. New Forests 43, 825–848.
academic year 2025/2026
Forest Regeneration (SV0057-10083)
2025-09-23 - 2025-10-14
Contact
- Course coordinator
- Anneli Adler
- Course administrator
- Desiré Mattsson
- Examiner
- Anneli Adler