Ecological disturbances in forests - silvicultural challenges under climate change
Information from the course leader
Dear students,
This new course dealing with ecological disturbances in northern forests in the context of climate change is still under development, and we will continue this together with you. An overarching ambition with the course is to "flip the classroom" making you as students the ones that put questions, search for and read the literature, decide on what is important and what is not. This is done by means of several group assignments where you, for different topics, will be responsible for putting together a bibliography/literature, a written and oral (lecture) summary of this literature. This will then be used as a basis for a final exam at least partly based on questions formulated by you. To your help you will have topic experts that can guide you through your group assignment and lectures with ample time for you to put questions.
See you in late October // Gustaf
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
BI1442-20152 - 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.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
BI1442 Ecological disturbances in forests - silvicultural challenges under climate change, 15.0 Credits
Ekologiska störningar i skogar - skötselutmaningar i ett förändrat klimatSubjects
BiologyEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Bibliography & quizz | 3.0 | 0001 |
| Written report | 3.0 | 0002 |
| Lecture/opposition/questions to examination | 1.0 | 0003 |
| Passed examination | 8.0 | 0004 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G2F)
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
60 ECTS in biology of which 7.5 ECTS in ecology and English 6.Exceptions are allowed from the entry requirement for basic competence in Swedish
Objectives
The aim of the course is to give students a deeper understanding of disturbance regimes in forests with a focus on managed northern temperate and boreal forests, as well as the consequences of these disturbances for the ecology and management of forests in times of climate change.
After completing the course, the student should be able to
- explain natural disturbance regimes and how these affect the forest ecosystem and how they provide guidance for nature conservation and production-oriented management measures in managed forest landscapes,
- explain the most important factors behind climate change and expected climate changes in different parts of Sweden given different climate scenarios,
- explain common abiotic (e.g. wind and fire) and biotic (e.g. fungi, insects and ungulates) disturbances in managed forest landscapes and how the frequency/intensity and interactions between these may change given different climate scenarios,
- explain and discuss the consequences of these disturbances on the forest values, ecosystem services and disservices, in relation to various management goals,
- use ecological knowledge and theories as a basis for proposals for silvicultural measures and adaptations to counter the risk of negative consequences of these disturbance regimes in managed forest landscapes.
Content
*The aim of the course is to give students a deeper understanding of disturbance regimes in forests with a focus on managed northern temperate and boreal forests. This includes the consequences of these disturbances for the ecology and management of forests in times of climate change. The course places great emphasis on developing the students' independence and skills in searching for, critically read, and summarize scientific literature. *
*Implementation: *
The course uses different teaching methods to promote the students' learning and ability to discuss through: (i) lectures that are to be seen as inspiration and background information, (ii) group work that is a central part of the course where the students themselves search for, select, and compile relevant literature in relation to the questions. Through this, the students actively contribute to supplementing the course's bibliography. The group work is presented in written form and in seminar form. The final bibliography, lectures, group work and seminars form the basis for the final exam.
The following elements are compulsory: Group work, seminars, exams.
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 examination
Passed written report from the group work
Passed oral presentation from the group work
Completed compulsory parts
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