Print Syllabus

Syllabus

SG0244 Silviculture - the science of forest stand management, 15.0 Credits

Silviculture - the science of forest stand management

Subjects

Forest Science Biology Forest science Biology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

The equivalent of 120 credits at basic level including:

- 60 credits in Forest science or

- 60 credits in Forest management or

- 60 credits in Biology or

- 60 credits in Soil science or

- 60 credits in Environmental sciences or

- 60 credits in Natural resource management or

- 60 credits in Natural geography



and,



English 6

Objectives

The overall aim of this course is to provide the foundations for evaluating how established and emerging silvicultural practices affect forest growth development, stand structure, and ecosystem services at the tree and stand level. The course provides students with experimental and analytical tools for making correct diagnoses about current and future stand conditions and tree responses. The course will also foster critical reading of silvicultural and ecological literature and writing of scientific texts.

After completion of the course, the students will be able to:

• Explain and apply the ecological and silvicultural principles underlying tree and stand development over time—including the role of site characteristics, self-thinning, resource competition, resource dynamics, light-use efficiency, and respiration at tree- and stand-levels and how silvicultural practices govern stand development under contrasting environmental conditions.

• Analyse forest stand dynamics under varying management strategies, site conditions, and climatic conditions.

• Analyse and project the consequences of management interventions and their impacts on tree/forest growth, soils, and energy and water balances.

• Design silvicultural field and computer experiments and sampling strategies to test fundamental scientific questions and hypotheses, analyse data using state-of-the-art software and statistical methods, draw conclusions.

• Evaluate the scientific basis for present and emerging silvicultural practices such as mixed species silviculture, continuous cover forestry, agroforestry, and uneven-aged forest management.

• Follow and participate in current discussions on silviculture and forest management.

• Search, critically evaluate, and synthesise relevant scientific literature on ongoing discussions in silviculture and forest management.

• Communicate efficiently to a wide range of stakeholders using different formats (e.g., research reports, oral presentations, posters).

Content

This course focuses on the evaluation of established and emerging silvicultural options for obtaining forest yield and ecosystem services under various scenarios. The course have two main parts:

One part of the course is dedicated to quantitative methods of analysis, tree physiology, experiments, silvicultural planning, and modelling. This will include a mix of lectures, use of field data, and analytical exercises. The other part of the course includes literature seminars where students synthesize the scientific literature and lead discussions and debates.

Lectures and course literature will cover:

• The light and water use efficiency of trees

• The energy and water balance

• C and N relations in trees

• Plant interactions (competition, self-thinning, thinning operations)

• Forest site classification systems;

• Quantitative analysis and description of forest stands

• Experiments; analysis of forest structure, tree diversity, tree physiology; and silvicultural modelling and simulation.

• Practical design and implementation of silvicultural prescriptions

The students work in small groups on projects, which will form the basis of assessment. The projects cover and deepen the different aspects of the course, and have a quantitative and experimental component. The students will submit assignments in the format of scientific reports and present their findings orally.

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

Active participation in all compulsory activities including the field trips/practicals, group work, assignments, and oral presentations Approved oral and written examination.

• 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 examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Transitional provisions

The course was discontinued on May 23, 2022 (SLU.sfak.2022.3.1.1-82). Registered students that have not yet passed the course have the opportunity to do so within two years of the decision to discontinue the course. The department responsible for the course will during the two year phase-out period offer at least three retake sessions (renewed exams) and at least one opportunity to take part in compulsory elements. Students that wish to take an exam and/or take part in compulsory elements are asked to contact deputy head of department responsible for undergraduate education (or equivalent) at the responsible department to report that they wish to take an exam and/or take part in compulsory elements and to obtain information on when and where.

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

This course is given within the Masters Program in Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management.



SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. A large part of our courses

cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further

strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for the education. Students are

welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead

to improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage www.slu.se.



The course has been replaced by SG0272