Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics
Do you want to work with forestry, agroforestry, and forest-related issues in the tropics? This is the course for you! This course will take you through the arc of understanding global issues and theoretical knowledge to the on-the-ground complexities, challenges, and strategies of tropical forest and landscape management activities. You will learn tropical forest and woodland ecology, management systems, agroforestry, forest and landscape restoration, tree and forest products and services, global issues and drivers of land-use and land-use change, the complexities of local conditions, and how to integrate multiple forest- and land-use objectives and manage trade-offs.
The course is given as a campus independent, distance course, which means that you can attend the course remotely from any location.
Information from the course leader
Sept. 2020 Update
Due to COVID-19 and the associated travel restrictions, we will be conducting this course entirely online this year. Though we are disappointed to not be able to visit Mozambique, we have endeavored to create stimulating and thought provoking guest lectures and exercises to bring international experiences to you. All those registered for the course will receive an invitation to the course Canvas page by 23 October 2020.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
SG0258-20100 - 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 SG0258
Academic year 2024/2025
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20088)
2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19
Academic year 2023/2024
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20136)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20133)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics (SG0258-20022)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SG0258 Sustainable Forestry and Land-use Management in the Tropics, 15.0 Credits
Hållbar skogsskötsel och markanvändning i tropikernaSubjects
Forest Science BiologyEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to tropical forests, ecology, clim | 2.5 | 0102 |
| Agroforestry and multifunctional landscapes | 2.5 | 0103 |
| Forest and Landscape Restorati | 2.5 | 0104 |
| Natural Forest Management | 2.5 | 0105 |
| Factfulness | 2.5 | 0106 |
| Interview project | 2.5 | 0107 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1F)
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
Prior knowledge equivalent to 120 credits at undergraduate level including- 60 credits forest science or
- 60 credits forest management or
- 60 credits biology or
- 60 credits soil science or
- 60 credits environmental sciences or
- 60 credits natural resource management
and
- 15 credits at advanced level
and
- English 6
Objectives
The course prepare students for tasks and challenges when working with sustainable management in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
After completing the course the student should be able to:
Describe and analyze how biophysical (e.g., ecology, soils, climate), social, policy, and economic forces interact and drive current and potential forest and land-use management decisions and options.
Evaluate the potential benefits and weaknesses of prevalent management systems (natural forest, plantations, agroforestry, and restoration) within the local context (on economy, livelihoods, ecosystem services, etc.).
Synthesize the importance of tropical forests in a global context (e.g., carbon cycling, climate change mitigation, provision of wood and other bio-based products) and global agendas (e.g., forest landscape restoration, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement, REDD+).
Assess and interpret how local, context-specific demands, dynamics, values, and complexities affect forest and land use management.
Review, analyze, evaluate, and communicate current issues and research findings on forestry in tropical and subtropical areas.
In a given context, identify gaps in knowledge or practice and propose new solutions.
Content
The course addresses the conditions in nature and society for forest development and utilization in subtropical and tropical regions. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of how variations in system ecology, community development and forestry in the south differ from the northern systems. The course also deals with important management practices and land use forms with trees and forests, as well as current issues that will in future dominate the development of land use and forestry practices in subtropical and tropical regions.
The course contains lectures, exercises, literature studies, and discussions. Students will apply their knowledge to reality-based case studies. The course also provides an opportunity for individual specialization of a specific subject area based on the student’s own interest. Seminars and exercises are mandatory.
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 compulsory parts of the course. Approved written assignments, oral seminars and exercises.
- 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.
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
There is an optional field trip to a tropical country in connection with one of the international projects that are led by researchers at the faculty. Students who join the field trip need to cover the flight tickets and accommodation costs, while the course will cover expenses related to transport within the country, resource persons, and travel insurance. If you are planning to join the field trip, make sure you have a valid passport well in time. Check as well if you will need any additional vaccinations. Write to the course coordinator to know to what country the field trip will be.The course is offered to students from all SLU locations with some compulsory lectures and seminars.
For internet-based parts of the course, access to a computer with internet-connection of 2.0 Mbit/s or higher in both directions, USB-headset with microphone and web-camera are needed. Fixed internet access is recommended. It is also possible to connect at a library or so called "lärcentrum" (learning center).
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.
Responsible department
Department of Forest ecology and Management
Further information
Grading criteria
| Grade | Criteria |
|
2 |
Does not fulfill requirements for passing (Grade 3) |
|
3 |
Student completes the assignment demonstrating 'multi-structural' understanding using content presented during the lectures. The assignment is in the correct format and clearly and concisely presented. |
| 4 | Student completes the assignment demonstrating 'relational' understanding using content presented during the lectures and at least one example or concept not presented during the course. The assignment is in the correct format and very clearly and concisely presented. |
| 5 |
Student completes the assignment demonstrating 'extended abstract' understanding using content presented during the lectures and at least one example or concept not presented during the course. The student demonstrates exceptional, self-directed synthesis, application, and/or evaluation. The assignment is in the correct format, very clearly and concisely presented, and may contain innovative presentation methods or mediums. |
Litterature list
- Factfulness Författare: Rosling, H. [Factfulness] (https://www.adlibris.com/se/bok/factfulness-9781473637498?gclid=CjwKCAjw19z6BRAYEiwAmo64LXfMpVXKYjIf9qcVL0aM5dbVB_a6rKhqR0k-fnUkO39Ohy6_fOsNrBoCa9AQAvD_BwE) Kommentar: Adlibris English version; 99kr; 59 kr Swedish version
- Scaling up agroforestry: Potential, challenges and Barriers. [Scaling up agroforestry: Potential, challenges and Barriers.] (<https://agroforestrynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Scaling-up-agroforestry-Potential-Challenges-and-Barriers.pdf >)1) Achieving the Global Goals through agroforestry Författare: Andersson L (Ed.) [Achieving the Global Goals through agroforestry] (https://agroforestrynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Achieving-the-Global-Goals-through-agroforestry.pdf)1) Trees in agricultural landscapes enhance provision of ecosystem services in Sub-Saharan Africa Författare: Kuyah, S., Öborn, I., Jonsson, M., Dahlin, A.S., Barrios, E., Muthuri, C., Malmer, A., Nyaga, J., Magaju, C., Namirembe, S., Nyberg, Y., Sinclair, F.L., 2016 [Trees in agricultural landscapes enhance provision of ecosystem services in Sub-Saharan Africa] (https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2016.1214178)1) PLANTED FORESTS Uses, Impacts and Sustainability - A statement of principles Författare: FAO [PLANTED FORESTS Uses, Impacts and Sustainability - A statement of principles] (<http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/al248e/al248e00.pdf >)1) Silviculture in the tropics, Tropical forestry. Springer, Heidelberg?; New York. Författare: Günter, S. (Ed.) [Silviculture in the tropics, Tropical forestry. Springer, Heidelberg?; New York. ] (<https://moodle.ufsc.br/pluginfile.php/1935282/mod_resource/content/1/2%20G%C3%BCnter%20-%20Silviculture%20in%20the%20Tropics%20%20%202011%20-%20MTO%20BOM.pdf >) Kommentar: Chap 12, 16, 27
- Forests pathways to sustainable development, State of the world’s forests. Författare: FAO [Forests pathways to sustainable development, State of the world’s forests. ] (<http://www.fao.org/3/I9535EN/i9535en.pdf >)1) Restoring tropical forests: a practical guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 23-64. Författare: Elliott, S., Blakesley, D., Hardwick, K. [Restoring tropical forests: a practical guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p. 23-64.] (<http://www.rainforestation.ph/resources/pdf/publications/Elliott%20et%20al._2013_Restoring%20Tropical%20Forests.pdf >) Kommentar: Chapter 2-5
- Lecture notes on the major soils of the world Författare: Driessen P, Deckers J, Spaargaren O, Nachtergaele F [Lecture notes on the major soils of the world] (<http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/y1899e/y1899e00.htm#toc >) Kommentar: Introduction (p. 1-15); Histosols (p. 21-33); Mineral soils conditioned by a wet (sub) tropical climate (p141-181).
- Changes in planted forests and future global implications. Forest Ecology and Management 352, 57–67. Författare: Payn, T., Carnus, J.-M., Freer-Smith, P., Kimberley, M., Kollert, W., Liu, S., Orazio, C., Rodriguez, L., Silva, L.N., Wingfield, M.J. [Changes in planted forests and future global implications. Forest Ecology and Management 352, 57–67. ] (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.06.021)1) Forest Resources Assessment of 2015 shows positive global trends but forest loss and degradation persist in poor tropical countries. Forest Ecology and Management 352, 134–145. Författare: Sloan, S., Sayer, J.A., 2015 [Forest Resources Assessment of 2015 shows positive global trends but forest loss and degradation persist in poor tropical countries. Forest Ecology and Management 352, 134–145.] (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2015.06.013)1) Forests, Livelihoods, and Conservation: Broadening the Empirical Base Författare: Wunder S, Angelsen A, Belcher, B [Forests, Livelihoods, and Conservation: Broadening the Empirical Base] (<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X14000734 >)