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BI1419

Trees and Forest ecology

The overall purpose is to create an understanding of the biological framework for production of forest raw materials and other ecosystem services in forests.


The course provides an overview of ecological and evolutionary processes in the forest ecosystem. This includes an overview of the key concepts and theoretical basis for the evolution theory such as genetic variation, natural selection, fitness, speciation, and species concepts. Furthermore, the basics of ecology are covered with emphasis on interactions between organisms such as intra- and inter species competition and the processes that affect the organisms’ distribution and behavior. The evolutionary aspects of ecological interactions and processes will also be discussed. Basic methods for species determination, as well as methods and tools for determining the site productivity will be introduced.


The course covers the basic principles that govern the life and development of the plant, with emphasis on the morphological, structural, and physiological adaptations that allow trees to establish and grow in different environments; as well as the trees physiological responses to site’s characteristics and disturbances such as drought, wind, or pests. The consequences of these adaptations on the production of raw materials and other ecosystem services will be discussed.


The course is based on lectures, individual and group exercises, excursions, study visits, and self-study of course literature. The practical elements during the course aim to train students in species knowledge and forest data collection. The students will also be trained in information retrieval and how to evaluate and critically interpret relevant information about a specific topic or problem.


Excursions, study visits and exercises are mandatory elements in the course.


The Forestry Science content is divieded into sub-areas as follows:



  • 12,5 credits Natural processes



  • 2,5 credits Work procesesse




Course evaluation

The course evaluation is now closed

BI1419-10190 - Course evaluation report

Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.

Additional course evaluations for BI1419

Academic year 2023/2024

Trees and Forest ecology (BI1419-10321)

2023-08-28 - 2023-10-30

Syllabus and other information

Litterature list

The course book is “Biology: A global approach” and you are expected to have this book. The “Svensk Flora” is recommended to have for the floristics part of the course (29 Aug – 9 Sep), but a number of copies will be available to borrow. The book “Träd och buskar i Sverige…” is available to download for free. Other material will be available on Canvas.

  • Campbell N., Urry L., Cain M., Wasserman, Minorsky P, Reece J, Orr R, 2020. Biology: A global approach, Global Edition. 12th edition. Pearson Editorial. 1512 pp.

ISBN: 9781292321637

  • Krok T., Almquist S., Jonsel L., Jonsell B., 2013. Svensk flora - Fanerogamer och kärlkryptogamer. 29th edition. Liber. 592 pp.

ISBN: 9789147100590

  • Ekholm G., Karlsson T., Werner E., 1991. Träd och buskar i Sverige: en fältflora. SBT-förlaget

https://svenskbotanik.se/product/vilda-och-forvildade-trad-och-buskar-i-sverige-en-faltflora/

ISBN: 91-971255-4-7

  • Högberg, H. 2020. Skogsuppskattning för skogsmästare. SLU Skogsmästarskolan. PDF can be downloaded from Canvas.

Course facts

The course is offered as an independent course: Yes The course is offered as a programme course: Forest Business Management (BSc) Tuition fee: Tuition fee only for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens: 38060 SEK Cycle: Bachelor’s level (G1F)
Subject: Forestry Science Biology Biology Forestry Science
Course code: BI1419 Application code: SLU-10190 Location: Uppsala Distance course: No Language: Swedish Responsible department: Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology Pace: 100%