Broadleaves - Forest dynamics, biodiversity and management for multiple use
The overall goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive account on the history, ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable governance of broadleaf forest ecosystems in the southern Baltic Sea region.
We examine patterns of biodiversity for the major species groups in broadleaf forests, analyze the impact of forest management on biodiversity and evaluate current approaches to conservation. Here, we specifically compare management alternatives based on historical conservation baselines. We also study current threats and challenges to the function and biodiversity of broadleaf forests, with a focus on exotic tree pathogens and effects of ungulate browsing. During a study trip to Bialowieza National Park in northeastern Poland we explore the crown jewel among the European lowland forests.
The course addresses various aspects of managing broadleaf forests for production goals, including management of fast-growing tree species. We also compare traditional silvicultural systems, such as beech shelterwood management, with single tree and group selection approaches. We evaluate current concepts of forest restoration with an emphasis on stand conversion from spruce to broadleaf forest. During field trips, we study reserve management and active habitat restoration.
During the course, we continuously discuss the challenges that sustainable governance of broadleaf forest ecosystems meets today with respect to current changes in climate and society.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
SG0263-40110 - 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 SG0263
Academic year 2023/2024
Broadleaves - Forest dynamics, biodiversity and management for multiple use (SG0263-40085)
2024-03-20 - 2024-06-02
Academic year 2021/2022
Broadleaves - Forest dynamics, biodiversity and management for multiple use (SG0263-40029)
2022-03-24 - 2022-06-05
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SG0263 Broadleaves - Forest dynamics, biodiversity and management for multiple use, 15.0 Credits
Ädellövskog - Dynamik, biologisk mångfald och skötsel för mångbrukSubjects
Forest ScienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0101 |
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
The equivalent of 120 credits at basic level including– 60 credits Forest Science or
– 60 credits Forest Management or
– 60 credits Biology or
– 60 credits Environmental Sciences or
– 60 credits Landscape Architecture or
– 60 credits Agricultural Sciences or
– 60 credits Natural Resource Management
and courses at advanced level
- 15 credits Forest sciences or
- 15 credits Forest management or
- 15 credits Biology or
- 15 credits Environmental sciences
– 15 credits Landscape Architecture or
– 15 credits Agricultural Sciences or
– 15 credits Natural Resource Management
and
- English 6.
Objectives
The overall goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive account on the history, ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable governance of broadleaf forest ecosystems in the southern Baltic Sea region.
After the course the student should be able to
describe the main dynamic processes influencing broadleaf forests, including natural and management-related disturbances and secondary succession, as well as long-term vegetation history
describe the main environmental and compositional characteristics of the major broadleaf forest types of the region
identify and discuss the most important challenges with regard to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management in broadleaf forests in the region and describe strategies to address them
explain principles of sustainable management in broadleaf forests
explain principles of forest and habitat restoration in managed and protected broadleaf forests
summarize, critically evaluate and present scientific studies concerning ecology and dynamics of broadleaf forests both in oral and written form
critically and systematically analyze and discuss complex problems of forest governance.
Content
We study the ecology of the southern Baltic broadleaf forests with a focus on forest history, disturbance dynamics, forest succession and vegetation ecology. The study region comprises southern Sweden, Denmark, the Baltic countries, northern Germany and northern Poland. During a study trip to Bialowieza National Park in northeastern Poland we explore the crown jewel among the European lowland forests.
We examine patterns of biodiversity for the major species groups in broadleaf forests and compare species depending on old-growth structures with those favored by natural disturbances. We analyze the impact of forest management on biodiversity and evaluate current approaches to conservation and management for multiple goals. Here, we specifically compare management alternatives based on historical conservation baselines, including effects of Pleistocene megafauna extinctions. We also study current threats and challenges to the function and biodiversity of broadleaf forests, with a focus on exotic tree pathogens and effects of ungulate browsing.
The course addresses various aspects of managing broadleaf forests for production goals, including management of fast-growing tree species. We also compare traditional silvicultural systems, such as beech shelterwood management, with single tree and group selection approaches. We evaluate current concepts of forest restoration with an emphasis on stand conversion from spruce to broadleaf forest. During field trips, we study reserve management and active habitat restoration.
During the course, we continuously discuss the challenges that sustainable governance of broadleaf forest ecosystems meets today with respect to current changes in climate and society.
The course is divided into parts of 1-2 weeks. Each part typically consists of:
Introductory lectures
An individual or group assignment
Field excursions
A seminar or exercise to discuss and present the assignments
The study trip, excursions, individual and group assignments as well as excercises and seminars are compulsory parts.
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
Approved written exam and approved inidvidual excercies and approved active participation in 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.
Additional information
The course includes a study trip to Bialowieza Primeval Forest in Poland. Travel to and from Warsaw is paid by the students while the other costs are covered by the department: bus to Bialowieza, hotel accommodation and meals.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 Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Further information
Litterature list
Broadleaves
- Forest dynamics, biodiversity and management for multiple-use
Course literature - Spring 2022 - SLU Alnarp
**Forest history, forest dynamics and biodiversity (Jörg Brunet)**
Bakker et al. 2016. Combining paleo-data and modern exclosure experiments to assess the impact of megafauna extinctions on woody vegetation. PNAS 113: 847–855.
Bond 2005. Large parts of the world are brown or black: a different view on the ‘Green World’ hypothesis. Journal of Vegetation Science 16: 261–266.
Brunet et al. 2010. Biodiversity in European beech forests – a review with recommendations for sustainable forest management. Ecological Bulletins 53: 77-94.
Kirby and Watkins (Eds.). 2015. Europe’s changing woods and forests: from wildwood to managed landscapes. CAB International. 393 pp.
- Chapter 3 The forest landscape before farming
- Chapter 4 Evolution of modern landscapes
Larsen et al. 2005. Ecology of tree species and species selection. In: Naturnaer skovdrift (edited by Larsen, J.B.)
Mölder, A. et al. 2019. Integrative management to sustain biodiversity and ecological continuity in Central European temperate oak (Quercus robur, Q. petraea) forests: An overview. Forest Ecology and Management 437: 324–339.
San-Miguel-Ayanz, J. et al. (editors). 2016. European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. European Commission https://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/en/european-atlas/
Palm, J. et al. 2005. Hardwood – the facts. Wood Centre Nässjö.
Ungulate ecology (Annika Felton)
Bergqvist et al. 2018. Forage availability and moose winter browsing in forest landscapes. Forest Ecology and Management 419: 170-178.
Faison et al. 2016. Ungulate browsers promote herbaceous layer diversity in logged temperate forests. Ecology and Evolution 6: 4591-4602.
Kolstad et al. 2018. Pervasive moose browsing in boreal forests alters successional trajectories by severely suppressing keystone species. Ecosphere 9: e02458.
Felton et al. 2020. Varied diets, including broadleaved forage, are important for a large herbivore species inhabiting highly modified landscapes. Scientific Reports 10:1-13.
Forest health (Michelle Cleary)
Allen et al. 2010. A global overview of drought and heat-induced tree mortality reveals emerging climate change risks for forests. Forest Ecology and Management 259, 660-684.
Boyd et al. 2013. The consequence of tree pests and diseases for ecosystem services. Science. 342, 1235773
Prospero and Cleary. 2017. Effects of host variability on the spread of invasive forest diseases. Forests. 8, 80.
Roberts et al. 2020. The Effect of Forest Management Options on Forest Resilience to Pathogens. Frontiers in forests and global change. 3, 7.
Trumbore et al. 2015. Forest health and global change. Science. 349, 814-818.
Forest management and restoration (Magnus Löf)
Cernansky 2018. How to rebuild a forest. Nature. 560, 542-544.
Dey et al. 2008. Artificial regeneration of major oak (Quercus) species in the Eastern United States – a review of the literature. Forest Science 54, 77-106.
Gamfeldt 2013. Higher levels of multiple ecosystem services are found in forests with more tree species. Nature Communications 4, 1340.
Kelty 2006. The role of species mixtures in plantation forestry. Forest Ecology and Management 233, 195-204.
Kirby & Watkins (Eds.). 2015. Europe’s changing woods and forests: from wildwood to managed landscapes. CAB International. 393 pp.
- Chapter 5 Wood pastures in Europe
- Chapter 6 Coppice silviculture: From the Mesolithic to the 21st century
- Chapter 7 High forest management and the rise of the even-aged stands
- Chapter 8 Close-to nature forestry
Löf et al. 2016. Management of oak forests: striking a balance between timber production, biodiversity and cultural services. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem
Services and Management 12, 59-73.
Popkin G. 2021. Forest fight. Science 374, 1184-1189.
Saha et al. 2017. Lessons learned from oak cluster planting trials in central Europe. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 47, 139-148.
Stanturf et al. 2014. Contemporary forest restoration: a review emphasizing function. Forest Ecology and Management 331, 292-323.
Bialowieza forest (Mats Niklasson and Magnus Löf)
Churski et al. 2017. Brown world forests: increased ungulate browsing keeps temperate trees in recruitment bottlenecks in resource hotspots. New Phytology 214: 158-168.
Hofman-Kaminska et al. 2019. Adapt or die—Response of large herbivores to environmental changes in Europe during the Holocene. Global Change Biology 25: 2915–2930.
Kuijper et al. 2013. Landscape of fear in Europe: wolves affect spatial patterns of ungulate browsing in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland. Ecography 36: 1263-1275.
Nowacki GJ, Abrams MC. 2008. The Demise of Fire and “Mesophication” of Forests in the Eastern United States. BioScience 58, 123-138.
Mikusiński G. et al. 2018. Is the impact of loggings in the last primeval lowland forest in Europe underestimated? The conservation issues of Białowieża Forest." Biological Conservation 227:
266-274.
Spînu AP. et al. 2020. Mesophication in temperate Europe. A dendrochronological reconstruction of tree succession and fires in a mixed deciduous stand in Bialowieza forest. Ecology and
Evolution 10, 1029-1041.
Fast-growing broadleaves (Henrik Böhlenius)
Böhlenius and Övergaard 2015. Growth response of hybrid poplars to different types and levels of vegetation control. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 30, 516-525.
Böhlenius and Övergaard 2015. Exploration of optimal agricultural practices and seedling types for establishing poplar plantations. Forests 6, 2785-2798.
Böhlenius and Övergaard 2016. Impact of seedling type on early growth of poplar plantations on forest and agricultural land. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 31, 733-741.
Böhlenius et al. 2016. Growth response of hybrid aspen (populus × wettsteinii) and populus trichocarpa to different ph levels and nutrient availabilities. Canadian Journal of Forest Research
46, 1367-1374.
Böhlenius et al. 2018. Differences in Al sensitivity affect establishment of Populus genotypes on acidic forest land. PLOS ONE 13, e0204461.
Jobling (Ed.) 1990. Poplars for Wood Production and Amenity: The forest commition, Forest Research station, Alice Holt Lodge, UK.
Stanturf et al. 2014. Chapter 5, p 200-257. In Poplars and Willows, Trees for Society and the Environment. Isebrands and Richardson (Eds.), CABI, Oxfordshire, UK.
Tullus et al. 2012. Short-rotation forestry with hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L.×P. tremuloides Michx.) in Northern Europe. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 27, 10-29.
McCarthy and Rytter 2015. Productivity and thinning effects in hybrid aspen root sucker stands. Forest Ecology and Management 354, 215-223.