Forest ecology and production potential
The course mainly deals with Swedish conditions, but also provides insight into forests and forest management in other parts of the world. Lectures, group exercises, assignments and presentation of project work include
how different organisms are adapted to their environment, and how these adaptions affect the structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems
basic concepts and processes in soil science and ecology with significance for growth and biodiversity of trees and other organisms in the forest
basic principles for the biogeochemical cycles (e.g. those for carbon and nitrogen), energy flows, as well as factors and processes that regulate the forest’s primary production and biological diversity
factors that enable and limit the different values of the forest and an introduction to how forest management interact with the abiotic site conditions
how to prepare and conduct an oral presentation.
Mandatory elements consist of presenting one’s own project work and participation during project presentations by others.
The Forestry Science content is divided into sub-areas as follows:
- 7,5 credits Natural processes
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
SV0018-30151 - 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 SV0018
Academic year 2023/2024
Forest ecology and production potential (SV0018-30217)
2024-01-15 - 2024-02-14
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SV0018 Forest ecology and production potential, 7.5 Credits
Skogens ekologi och produktionsförmågaSubjects
Forestry Science BiologyEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Project work | 2.0 | 0102 |
| Written exam | 5.5 | 0103 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G1N)
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
SwedishPrior knowledge
General entry requirements for first-cycle studies and- Science studies 1b, or Science studies 1a1 + 1a2, or Science studies A
or equivalent knowledge
Objectives
The aim of the course is to create a basic understanding of the conditions for the forest’s ability to maintain and deliver different types of ecosystem services and values. The course also provides an introduction to how forestry management interact with abiotic and biotic site conditions.
After completing the course, the student should be able to
briefly describe the earth’s biome, as well as the conditions typical for the common forest types in Sweden
describe basic concepts in soil science, hydrology and climatology, as well as have an overview of Sweden’s bedrock and soils, and soils commonly found on forest land
describe local and global cycles for carbon and the most important plant nutrients in the forest ecosystem.
briefly describe the physiological and ecological conditions that determine distribution and productivity for the common organisms in Swedish forest land (both trees and other organisms)
explain at a basic level how forest management affect biodiversity and the delivery of various ecosystem services
prepare and conduct an oral presentation.
Content
The course mainly deals with Swedish conditions, but also provides insight into forests and forest management in other parts of the world. Lectures, group exercises, assignments and presentation of project work include
how different organisms are adapted to their environment, and how these adaptions affect the structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems
basic concepts and processes in soil science and ecology with significance for growth and biodiversity of trees and other organisms in the forest
basic principles for the biogeochemical cycles (e.g. those for carbon and nitrogen), energy flows, as well as factors and processes that regulate the forest’s primary production and biological diversity
factors that enable and limit the different values of the forest and an introduction to how forest management interact with the abiotic site conditions
how to prepare and conduct an oral presentation.
Mandatory elements consist of presenting one’s own project work and participation during project presentations by others.
The Forestry Science content is divided into sub-areas as follows:
- 7,5 credits Natural processes
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 written examination, approved exercises and assignments, as well as completed oral presentation.
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 syllabus is uppdated in accordance with the decisions 2021-02-11 (§§ 9-10) by the Board of Education on the main field of study Forestry science and on degree requirements (SLU.sfak.2021.3.1.1-22). It thus replaces SG0267, decided by the Programme Board for Education in Forestry (PN-S) 2020-11-11 (SLU.sfak.2020.3.1.1-447), due to changed field of study.Responsible department
Department of Ecology
Cooperating departments:
Further information
Grading criteria
Betygskriterier för SV0018 Skogens ekologi och produktionsförmåga vt 2023
För att bli godkänd på kursen krävs i) godkänd inlämning av projektarbete, ii) godkänd muntlig presentation av projektarbete, samt iii) godkänt resultat på skriftlig tentamen. På inlämningsuppgiften (i och ii) kan man få betyget U eller G. På tentamen (iii) kan man få betyget U, 3, 4 eller 5. När inlämningsuppgiften är godkänd, kommer kursbetyget att vara detsamma som betyget på tentamen.
Både projektarbetet och den skriftliga tentamen testar följande förmågor:
- beskriva de i Sverige vanligt förekommande skogstyperna och skillnader i förutsättningar för skog och skogsbruk mellan olika delar av Sverige.
- redogöra för begrepp inom markvetenskap, hydrologi och klimatologi, samt redogöra för Sveriges berggrund och på skogsmark vanligt förekommande jordarter och jordmåner.
- beskriva kretslopp för kol och de viktigaste växtnäringsämnena i skogsekosystemet.
- beskriva förutsättningar och processer som avgör skogstillväxtens storlek och hur skogsskötsel kan anpassas till dessa förutsättningar.
- redogöra för begrepp inom ekologin samt beskriva ekologiska processer som förklarar utbredning och antal av skogslevande arter, i synnerhet träd, skadegörare, vilt och missgynnade arter i svenska skogslandskap.
- redogöra för hur åtgärder inom skogsbruket påverkar biologisk mångfald och leveransen av olika ekosystemtjänster.
Den muntliga presentationen av projektarbetet testar också förmågan att:
- förbereda och genomföra en muntlig redovisning.
För betyget 3 krävs att man har uppvisat samtliga förmågor enligt ovan. Det räcker med redogörelser på en översiktlig nivå, och att man beskriver mera grundläggande begrepp.
För betyget 4 krävs att man har visat upp samtliga förmågor som krävs för betyg 3, men utöver det skall man på tentamen ha visat upp en bredare (t ex genom att man beskriva fler begrepp och mera detaljer om olika företeelser) och i viss mån också djupare kunskap (t ex förståelse av processer som orsakar olika mönster och förmåga att diskutera olika perspektiv och osäkerhet i kunskap och för- och nackdelar med olika handlingsalternativ) för flertalet av de sex förmågor som listas ovan.
För betyget 5 krävs att man har visat upp samtliga förmågor som krävs för betyg 4, men utöver det skall man på tentamen också ha visat upp en betydligt bredare och djupare kunskap för flera av de sex förmågor som listas ovan.