Ecological Disturbances in Forests - Silviculture Challenges Under Climate Change
This course instance is exclusively for incoming exchange students
Course description
Climate change affects forest ecosystems in profound ways by altering ecological disturbance regimes. There is an urgent need for forest management to adapt to these changes. The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding of disturbance regimes in forests with a focus on managed northern temperate and boreal forests. Disturbance agents covered in this course include fires, storms, snow, pathogens, insects, and herbivory. The course covers the mechanisms of these disturbances and the consequences for the ecology and management of forests under climate change. Hence, this course is directed to anyone who wants to be prepared in facing the ongoing and future challenges in forest ecology and management in times of climate change.
The course largely relies on self-directed learning according to the principle of a 'flipped classroom,' where great emphasis is placed on developing the students' independence, with support from subject matter experts. The course uses a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars and Quizzes. Group work is a central part of the course where the students themselves search for, compile, summarize and evaluate relevant literature. Through this, the students actively contribute to supplementing the course's bibliography. The group work is presented in written and oral form. The final bibliography, group reports, lectures and seminars form an important basis for the final exam.
Entry Requirements
Exceptions are allowed from the entry requirement for basic competence in Swedish
Course facts
BI1460, Ecological Disturbances in Forests - Silviculture Challenges Under Climate Change, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2023-12-22
Valid from : Autumn semester 2024 (2024-09-02)
Level
First cycle (G2F)
Main field of study
Biology, Forestry Science
Biology Area
Ecology
Sub-area forestry science
Objectives, planning and policy, 3 hp, Natural Processes, 12 hp
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.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
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.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
- Passed examination - Passed written report from the group work - Passed oral presentation from the group work - Completed compulsory parts
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Forest ecology and Management
Supplementary information
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Bibliography & quiz | 2.0 | 0001 |
| Written report | 3.0 | 0002 |
| Lecture & opposition | 1.0 | 0003 |
| Tradeoffs & synergies / Seminar & report | 2.0 | 0004 |
| Examination | 7.0 | 0005 |
The Course Replaces
BI1442